Article design support system and method and medium storing program for article design support

ABSTRACT

A furniture design support system comprises a computer system. The computer system comprises an HD unit, which stores a furniture design support program and data representing the basic forms of units and parts. An operator defines a size, a finishing color, a material (the kind of wood), etc. with respect to the unit to be used for furniture to be designed on the basis of the desires of a customer, and also defines a finishing color, a material, etc. with respect to the part (a drawer, a door leaf, etc.) (step  33 ). Completed furniture is displayed on a display screen by assembling the unit and the part on the display screen. An HD stores design data related to the completed furniture (step  34 ). The appearance of the completed furniture is displayed on the display screen on the basis of the design data, and a design drawing is outputted from a printer (step  35 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system for and a method of supportingthe design of an article, for example, furniture, and a medium having aprogram for supporting the design of an article stored thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When furniture such as a bookcase, a shoecase, or a cupboard ispurchased, a customer generally selects, out of pieces of ready-madefurniture, one having a shape, a structure, a size, a color, a material,a material quality, etc. which he or she desires.

In order to meet a variety of desires of the customer, furniture hasbeen made to order. However, the made-to-order furniture takes more timeand labor to manufacture, as compared with the ready-made furniture.Accordingly, the made-to-order furniture is generally high in cost.Further, furniture on which all the desires of the customer arereflected is not necessarily manufactured even if it is made to order.The reason for this is that the design is not made while incorporatingthe desires of the customer one by one, and the texture, the hue, or thelike of the material is not generally expressed in a design drawing.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a support tool fordesigning an article (for example, furniture) having some of elementssuch as a shape, a structure, a size, a color, a material, and amaterial quality which are as close to the desires of a user aspossible, that is, an article design support system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support toolthat makes it easy to design an article, that is, an article designsupport system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a supporttool that makes it easy to manufacture an article, that is, an articlemanufacture support system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a recordingmedium storing a program for realizing a design support method, a designsupport system, a manufacture support method, and a manufacture supportsystem of an article using a general purpose computer. The mediumstoring the program (having the program recorded thereon) includes notonly a portable recording medium such as an FD (Floppy Disk) or a CD-ROM(Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) but also a hard disk, a magnetic tape, asemiconductor memory, and so forth.

An article design support system according to a first inventioncomprises constituent member selection means for accepting, out of aplurality of types of constituent members, the selection of theplurality of types of constituent members used for designing an article;first input means for accepting the input of data related to acombination of the selected plurality of types of constituent members;second input means for accepting the input of size data related to atleast one of the selected plurality of types of constituent members;first storage means for storing data respectively representing theselected plurality of types of constituent members, the inputted datarelated to the combination, and the inputted size data; and displaymeans for displaying an image representing an article constructed bycombining the plurality of types of constituent members on the basis ofthe data representing the selected plurality of types of constituentmembers, the inputted data related to the combination, and the inputtedsize data.

An article design support method according to the first invention isparticularly for supporting design using a computer, which comprises thesteps of causing to select, out of a plurality of types of constituentmembers, the plurality of types of constituent members used fordesigning an article; causing to input data related to a combination ofthe selected plurality of types of constituent members; causing to inputsize data related to at least one of the selected plurality of types ofconstituent members; displaying an image representing an articleconstructed by combining the plurality of types of constituent memberson the basis of the data representing the selected plurality of types ofconstituent members, the inputted data related to the combination, andthe inputted size data; and storing the data representing the selectedplurality of types of constituent members, the inputted data related tothe combination, and the inputted size data.

A program recording medium according to the first invention stores thefollowing program. That is, the program is for controlling a computer soas to cause the computer to perform constituent member selectionprocessing for accepting, out of a plurality of types of constituentmembers, the selection of the plurality of types of constituent membersused for designing an article; combination input processing foraccepting the input of data related to a combination of the selectedplurality of types of constituent members; size input processing foraccepting the input of size data related to at least one of the selectedplurality of types of constituent members; storage processing forstoring data representing the selected plurality of types of constituentmembers, the inputted data related to the combination, and the inputtedsize data; and display processing for displaying an image representingan article constructed by combining the plurality of types ofconstituent members on the basis of the data representing the selectedplurality of types of constituent members, the inputted data related tothe combination, and the inputted size data.

In the first invention, it is presupposed that a desired article can bedesigned by selection and combination (including arrangement) of theplurality of types of constituent members previously determined. Anexample of the article is furniture.

An operator selects the constituent members, and enters the sizes of atleast some of the constituent members, and further enters theircombination, so that an image representing an article constructed by thecombination of the selected constituent members is produced and isdisplayed. Further, data for the display or data forming the basisthereof are stored in a memory.

It is possible to confirm whether or not the article has a desiredshape, structure, and size by seeing the displayed image (a designdrawing) representing the article. It is also possible to designate amaterial (a material quality) or a color. The article is represented bythe designated material (material quality) or color. The size, thecombination, the material, the material quality, the color, etc. can bealso changed, if required. An image (a design drawing) after the changeis displayed.

The selection, the combination, and the sizes of the constituent memberscan be thus determined depending on the desires of the user.Accordingly, the design drawing of the article having the shape, thestructure, and the size which meet the desires of the user is completed.Further, the completed design drawing can be confirmed or checked bybeing displayed. The selection and the combination of the constituentmembers and the input of the sizes are basically sufficient for anoperator to perform operations. Accordingly, the operations are easy.

It is preferable that images (drawings) representing the selectedconstituent members and an image (a design drawing) representing thearticle constructed by combining the constituent members during or aftercompletion of the combination are simultaneously displayed on separateareas of a display screen.

Data representing the plurality of types of constituent members whichare used for designing the article may be displayed. The datarepresenting the constituent members include images, characters, icons,etc. The constituent members used for designing the article are selectedout of the plurality of types of constituent members which arerepresented by the images, the characters, the icons, etc.

As for a certain type of article, for example, furniture, the furniturehas one or a plurality of basic structures (shapes). The basic structure(shape) can be represented by basic constituent members which are of onetype or are classified into a plurality of types (basic constituentmembers of at least one type). The other constituent members arerepresented as a plurality of types of parts. Each of the parts includesat least one type.

It is possible to cause the operator to select the basic constituentmembers of at least one type and one type of at least one of the partsand construct an article having a desired shape, structure, and size bytheir combination. If the sizes are inputted with respect to the basicconstituent members, the size of the part to be combined therewith canbe automatically calculated on the basis of the sizes of the basicconstituent members and data representing the combination.

Preferably, the operator is caused to enter data related to formation ofcells by dividing a space (this may be also called a cell) defined bythe basic constituent members selected and displayed. By introducing theconcept “cell”, the selected part can be associated (combined) with thecells formed by the division. This makes it easy to handle datarepresenting an article having a complicated structure.

In this case, at least one of the size of a board member for definingthe cells and the size of the cell can be easily calculatedautomatically on the basis of the sizes of the basic constituent membersand the number of divisions. The input of the size of the cell, the sizeof the board member, and the sizes of the other parts can be omitted.

All the data representing the selected constituent members used fordesigning the article, the inputted data related to the combination ofthe constituent members, the inputted size data, the data related to thematerial (material quality) and the color of the inputted constituentmember, the inputted data related to the formation of the cells, etc.are entered (selected) by the user (operator) of the article designsupport system. Consequently, data for representing an image (a designdrawing) representing the article is constructed in the storage means.Data to be the basis of the input and selection may be previously storedin another storage means. The user can design an article having adesired shape, structure, and size by freely changing the combination ofthe constituent members and determining the sizes thereof in the data tobe the basis.

The design support system according to the first invention can be alsodefined from another point of view (particularly of display) (this isreferred to as a second invention). A design support system according tothe second invention comprises constituent member display means fordisplaying, out of a plurality of types of constituent members, imagesrepresenting the selected plurality of types of constituent members;article display means for displaying an image representing an articleconstructed by combining the plurality of types of constituent memberson the basis of data representing the combination of the plurality oftypes of constituent members and data representing at least the sizesthereof which are given with respect to the displayed plurality of typesof constituent members; and storage means for storing data representingthe selected plurality of types of constituent members, the given datarepresenting the sizes of the plurality of types of constituent members,and the given data representing the combination.

According to the second invention, the images representing the selectedplurality of types of constituent members and the image representing thearticle constructed by combining the plurality of types of constituentmembers are displayed. The displayed image representing the article isbased on the data representing the selected plurality of types ofconstituent members, the given data representing the sizes of theconstituent members, and the given data representing the combination ofthe constituent members stored in the storage means.

The constituent members are selected, so that the images representingthe constituent members are displayed. A constituent member newlyselected is combined with the displayed constituent members, so that animage representing an article (a completed article or an article duringcompletion) is displayed. The contents of the data stored in the storagemeans are changed depending on the combination of the constituentmembers (the assembling of the article) on the display screen. It isindicated on the display screen how the article is being assembled.Accordingly, the article to be designed is easy to grasp and is easy tounderstand.

The present invention further provides the following article designsupport tool.

A design support system according to a third invention comprises firstdisplay means for displaying images respectively representing aplurality of types of articles; article selection means for acceptingthe selection of any one of the displayed plurality of types ofarticles; input means for accepting the input of size data related tothe selected article; and second display means for displaying an imagerepresenting the selected article of a size based on the inputted sizedata.

A design support system according to a fourth invention comprises firstdisplay means for displaying images respectively representingcombinations of one or a plurality of types of basic constituent membersand parts; combination selection means for accepting the selection ofany one of the displayed combinations of the one or plurality of typesof basic constituent members and parts; first input means for accepting,with respect to the selected combination, the input of size data relatedto at least one of the basic constituent member and the part; and seconddisplay means for displaying an image representing the combination ofthe basic constituent member and the part, one of which is of a sizebased on the inputted size data.

A design support system according to a fifth invention comprises firstdisplay means for displaying images respectively representing aplurality of types of basic constituent members; basic constituentmember selection means for accepting the selection of any one of thedisplayed plurality of types of basic constituent members; seconddisplay means for displaying images respectively representing aplurality of types of parts; first input means for accepting the inputof data related to a combination of the selected basic constituentmember and at least one of the displayed plurality of types of parts;second input means for accepting the input of size data related to atleast one of the selected basic constituent member and the part combinedwith the basic constituent member; and third display means fordisplaying an image representing a combination of the basic constituentmember and the part, one of which is of a size based on the inputtedsize data.

A design support system according to a sixth invention comprises firstdisplay means for displaying images respectively representing aplurality of types of basic constituent members; basic constituentmember selection means for accepting the selection of any one of thedisplayed plurality of types of basic constituent members; first inputmeans for accepting the input of data for dividing a cell defined by theselected basic constituent member into a plurality of cells; seconddisplay means for displaying images respectively representing aplurality of types of parts; part selection means for accepting theselection of any one of the displayed plurality of types of parts;second input means for accepting the input of data for associating theselected part with the one or plurality of cells; third input means foraccepting the input of size data related to at least one of the selectedbasic constituent member and the one or plurality of cells; and thirddisplay means for displaying an image representing the basic constituentmember and the part associated with the cells formed by the division onthe basis of the inputted size data.

In the third invention, the size of the article selected depending onthe desires of the user is determined. In the fourth invention, thesizes of the basic constituent member and the part which constitute thearticle are determined depending on the desires of the user. In thefifth invention, the user can select the basic constituent member andthe part which should be used for the article, and can determine thesizes thereof. In the sixth invention, the user can determine the cellsin the selected basic constituent member.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a tool capable of easilydesigning an article meeting the taste of the user by previouslypreparing article design data which can be changed, and particularly aserver computer used in an article design support system operatedthrough a network.

A server computer comprises storage means storing article design dataincluding data respectively representing a plurality of types ofarticles and size data related to each of the articles. The servercomputer comprises main page transmission means for transmitting to aclient computer a main page for displaying on the client computer imagesrepresenting the plurality of types of articles based on the articledesign data and accepting the designation of the article in response toa main page transmission request from the client computer; articledesign data change page transmission means for transmitting to theclient computer an article design data change page for accepting thechange in the size of the article designated in the client computer;appearance data production means for producing data representing theappearance of the article on the basis of the size data inputted in theclient computer; and appearance image page transmission means fortransmitting to the client computer an appearance image page fordisplaying an image representing the appearance of the article which isrepresented by the produced appearance data.

The article design data is previously prepared for the server computer.On the client computer, the images representing the plurality ofarticles represented by the article design data (which may be an imagerepresenting a picture or the like of an article (an actual object)having approximately the same shape as the article represented by thearticle design data) is displayed (this is a main page). A user of theclient computer can select any (liked) article, and can request tochange the size of the selected article (an article design data changepage). On the client computer, the image representing the appearance ofthe article having the size which has been changed is displayed (anappearance image page). The user of the client computer can easily readthe article having the liked size.

The article design data may include the data representing the pluralityof types of constituent members constituting the article and datarelated to the combination of the constituent members constituting thearticle. In the article design data change page, the change in theconstituent members constituting the designated article may be furtheraccepted. The server computer transmits, when it receives change datarelated to the constituent member constituting the article, the imagerepresenting the appearance of the article comprising the changedconstituent member to the client computer.

Furthermore, if the article design data includes color data representingthe color of the article, and the article design data change page is forfurther accepting the change in the color of the designated article, thearticle is represented in the color liked by the user.

According to the present invention, the size of the article representedby the article design data previously prepared can be thus easilychanged into a liked size or the like. Since the article design data ischanged, the user can obtain an article having a liked size, members, orcolor if the article is manufactured on the basis of the changed articledesign data.

The present invention further provides various article manufacturesupport tools used for manufacturing an article.

A first manufacture support tool is an article processing drawingproduction system.

An article processing drawing production system according to the presentinvention comprises first storage means storing data representingminimum constituent elements composing a plurality of types ofconstituent members, data related to the constituent member representedby a combination of the minimum constituent elements, data related to anarticle represented by a combination of the constituent members, andsize data related to each of the minimum constituent elements; andprocessing drawing production means for producing, on the basis of thedata representing the minimum constituent elements composing theplurality of types of constituent members, the data related to theconstituent member represented by the combination of the minimumconstituent elements, the data related to the article represented by thecombination of the constituent members, and the size data related toeach of the minimum constituent elements, processing drawings having adrawing and the size of the minimum constituent element, a drawing andthe size of the constituent member, and a drawing and the size of thearticle separately drawn thereon, and outputting the processing drawingsas a set.

The minimum constituent element means an element which cannot be furtherdivided. A combination of elements constitutes a constituent member. Acombination of constituent members constitutes an article.

It is possible to express on a drawing, on the basis of the datarepresenting the minimum constituent elements, the data related to theconstituent member represented by the combination of the minimumconstituent elements, the data related to the article represented by thecombination of the constituent members, and the data related to the sizeof the minimum constituent element, the shape and the structure of theelements required to process (manufacture) the article (the constituentmembers), the shape and the structure of the constituent member, and theshape and the structure of the article, together with the sizes. Theelements displayed on the drawing (processing drawing) are manufacturedand are assembled, thereby making it possible to manufacture theconstituent members. The constituent members are combined on the basisof the data related to the combination of the constituent members,thereby making it possible to manufacture the article.

The data representing joint portions among the minimum constituentelements for assembling the constituent members and assembling thearticle may be stored. The joint portions among the elements areillustrated, thereby making it easy to assemble the article. A hole, ahinge, or the like may be indicated in the joint portion.

It is preferable that the joint portion between the minimum constituentelements is one corresponding to the size of the elements. In oneembodiment, the article processing drawing production system comprisesmeans for changing at least one of the positions and the number of jointportions among the minimum constituent elements on the basis of the sizedata related to the minimum constituent elements. It is possible to makesuch change that the number of joint portions is increased when the sizeof the minimum constituent element further constituting the constituentmember constituting the article is larger than a set value, while beingreduced when it is smaller than the set value.

A second manufacture support tool is an article manufacturing processdrawing production system.

An article manufacturing process drawing production system according tothe present invention comprises a database storing data representingwork processes related to each of constituent members, data representingthe work processes related to the constituent member including datarelated to the order of processes for each of contents of work includedin the work processes; work process data extraction means forextracting, on the basis of data related to a combination of one or aplurality of types of constituent members constituting a given article,the data representing the work processes related to each of theconstituent members constituting the article from the database; andarticle manufacturing process drawing production means for arranging theextracted data representing the work processes related to theconstituent member, to produce and output a manufacturing processdrawing of the article constructed by the combination of the one orplurality of types of constituent members.

The data related to the combination of the constituent members showswhich constituent members are combined and how the constituent membersare combined to constitute the article. Further, the data representingthe work processes is stored with respect to each of the constituentmembers in the database. The data includes data representing the orderof processes for each of the contents of work included in the workprocesses. Therefore, the contents of work for processing can bearranged and illustrated for each of the constituent membersconstituting the article. If the constituent members are processed(manufactured) along the flow of the illustrated contents of work foreach of the constituent members, the article is finally completed.

The data representing the flow of processing (data representing workprocesses) is thus previously prepared for each of the constituentmembers, thereby making it possible to produce a drawing (which may be aprocess table) for causing the manufacturing work of the article tosmoothly progress.

A third manufacture support tool is an article instruction manualproduction system.

An article instruction manual production system according to the presentinvention comprises a first database storing data representing the basicstructure of an instruction manual formed with a blank field; a seconddatabase storing, with respect to one or a plurality of types ofconstituent members, at least one of data respectively representing adescriptive text and a descriptive image which constitute theinstruction manual; extraction means for extracting, on the basis ofdata related to a combination of the one or plurality of types ofconstituent members constituting a given article, at least one of datarepresenting a descriptive text and a descriptive image related to theconstituent members constituting the article from the second database;and instruction manual production means for incorporating at least oneof the data representing the descriptive text and the data representingthe descriptive image, which has been extracted, into the position inthe predetermined blank field of the data, representing the basicstructure of the instruction manual, stored in the first database, toproduce and output the instruction manual for the article.

The data related to the combination of the constituent membersconstituting the article is given, thereby making it possible to producean instruction manual to be appended to an article in a completed stateor an article assembly kit by being adapted to the structure, the shape,etc. of the article. The descriptive text and the descriptive imagerelated to the constituent members used for the article are insertedinto the instruction manual in accordance with the data representing thebasic structure of the instruction manual. The burden on the productionof the instruction manual to be produced with respect to variousarticles (articles including various constituent members) can besignificantly reduced.

In one embodiment, the data representing the descriptive image includesdata representing a rendering drawing produced on the basis of the datarepresenting the plurality of types of constituent members to be givenand the data related to the combination of the constituent members. Adrawing that almost accurately expresses the shape and the structure ofthe article constituted by the combination of the constituent membersand the arrangement (positions) of the constituent members can beinserted into the instruction manual.

The present invention further provides a server computer control methodfor an article design support system, a medium having a program forcontrolling a server computer recorded thereon, and a medium having aprogram recorded thereon for controlling a processing drawing productionsystem, a manufacturing process drawing production system, and aninstruction manual production system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (A) is a perspective view of a top board and base board coveringtype unit, and FIG. 1 (B) is a partially sectional view taken along aline IB-IB shown in FIG. 1 (A)

FIG. 2 (A) is a perspective view of a side board covering type unit I,and FIG. 2 (B) is a partially sectional view taken along a line IIB-IIBshown in FIG. 2 (B).

FIG. 3 (A) is a perspective view of a side board covering type unit II,and FIG. 3 (B) is a partially sectional view taken along a lineIIIB-IIIB shown in FIG. 3 (A).

FIG. 4 (A) is a perspective view of a miter joining type unit, and FIG.4 (B) is a partially sectional view taken along a line IVB-IVB shown inFIG. 4 (A).

FIGS. 5 (A), 5 (B), 5 (C), and 5 (D) are perspective views showingexamples of furniture.

FIGS. 6 (A), 6 (B), 6 (C), and 6 (D) are perspective views respectivelyshowing examples of furniture.

FIG. 7 (A) is a partially broken perspective view showing an example offurniture provided with an inset type drawer, and FIG. 7 (B) is apartially broken perspective view showing an example of furnitureprovided with an overset type drawer.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a furnituredesign support system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of afurniture design support system.

FIG. 10 illustrates a part of the contents of a basic information table(a master).

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a design drawing (front).

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a design drawing (side).

FIGS. 13 (A), 13 (B), and 13 (C) illustrate the relationship among acell in a unit, a cell number, and a part number assigned to a partingboard.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a completed furniture table.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a unit number table.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a unit arrangement table.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a parting (cell) information table.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a unit/part definition table.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a drawer arrangement table.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a door leaf arrangement table.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a door pull arrangement table.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a leg arrangement table.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a parting board arrangement table.

FIG. 24 illustrates the relationship among data tables stored in an HD.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing of a furnituredesign support system.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the flow of unit/part definitionprocessing.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing the flow of board thickness definitionprocessing.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing the flow of assembling processing.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the flow of parting definitionprocessing.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the flow of color tone changeprocessing.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the flow of drawing display/printingprocessing.

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing the flow of display drawing selectionprocessing.

FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing the flow of unit size change processing.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing the flow of cell size change processing.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing the flow of furniture picture displayprocessing.

FIG. 36 is a flow chart showing the flow of printing processing.

FIG. 37 illustrates an example of display of a main menu window.

FIG. 38 illustrates an example of display of a unit/part selectionwindow.

FIG. 39 illustrates an example of display of a unit size input window.

FIG. 40 illustrates the relationship among the sizes of a top board, abaseplate, a left side board, and a right side board which constitute aunit, the size of a cell, and a board thickness.

FIG. 41 illustrates an example of display of a storage name inputwindow.

FIG. 42 illustrates an example of display of an assembling main window.

FIG. 43 illustrates an example of display of an assembling main window.

FIGS. 44 (A), 44 (B), 44 (C), and 44 (D) illustrate the flow offurniture assembling processing.

FIGS. 45 (A), 45 (B), 45 (C), and 45 (D) illustrate the flow offurniture assembling processing.

FIG. 46 illustrates the flow of furniture assembling processing.

FIG. 47 illustrates an example of display of an arrangement changewindow.

FIG. 48 illustrates an example of display of a parting definitionwindow.

FIG. 49 illustrates an example of display of an arrangement changewindow.

FIG. 50 is a partially broken perspective view showing completedfurniture whose offset size is ensured.

FIG. 51 illustrates an example of display of an assembling main window.

FIG. 52 illustrates an example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 53 illustrates an example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 54 illustrates an example of display of a display drawing selectionwindow.

FIG. 55 illustrates an example of display of a size change window.

FIG. 56 illustrates an example of display of a size change window.

FIG. 57 illustrates an example of display of a cell size change window.

FIG. 58 illustrates an example of display of a picture display window.

FIG. 59 illustrates an example of display of a printing designationwindow.

FIG. 60 illustrates another example of display of a unit/part selectionwindow.

FIG. 61 illustrates an example of display of a drawer definition window.

FIG. 62 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 63 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 64 illustrates an example of display of a size change window.

FIG. 65 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 66 illustrates an example of display of a cell definition window.

FIG. 67 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 68 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 69 illustrates a unit/part display area in enlarged fashion.

FIG. 70 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 71 illustrates an example of display of a drawer setting methodselection window.

FIG. 72 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 73 illustrates an example of display of a furniture storage window.

FIG. 74 illustrates another example of display of an assembling mainwindow.

FIG. 75 illustrates another example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 76 illustrates another example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 77 illustrates an example of display of a drawing selection window.

FIG. 78 illustrates an example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 79 illustrates an example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 80 illustrates an example of display of a printing drawingselection window.

FIG. 81 illustrates an example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 82 illustrates an example of display of a completed furnituredisplay window.

FIG. 83 illustrates a processing drawing of completed furniture.

FIG. 84 illustrates a processing drawing of a combination of a unit anda parting board in completed furniture.

FIG. 85 illustrates a processing drawing of a top board.

FIG. 86 illustrates a processing drawing of a baseplate.

FIG. 87 illustrates a processing drawing of a back board.

FIG. 88 illustrates a processing drawing of a side board.

FIG. 89 illustrates a processing drawing of a parting board.

FIG. 90 illustrates a processing drawing of a door leaf.

FIG. 91 illustrates a processing drawing of a drawer.

FIG. 92 is a block diagram showing another example of the electricalconfiguration of a furniture design support system.

FIG. 93 is a perspective view showing an example of completed furniture.

FIG. 94 illustrates an example of a manufacturing process drawing.

FIG. 95 illustrates an example of a manufacturing process informationtable.

FIG. 96 is a flow chart showing the flow of manufacturing processdrawing production processing.

FIG. 97 illustrates an example of a temporary file.

FIG. 98 is a block diagram showing still another example of theelectrical configuration of a furniture design support system.

FIG. 99 illustrates an example of an instruction manual.

FIG. 100 illustrates an example of an instruction manual.

FIG. 101 illustrates an example of an instruction manual.

FIG. 102 illustrates an example of an instruction manual.

FIG. 103 illustrates an example of an instruction manual.

FIG. 104 illustrates an example of an instruction manual.

FIG. 105 illustrates an example of an instruction manual table.

FIG. 106 illustrates an example of a text data table.

FIG. 107 illustrates an example of an image data table.

FIG. 108 is a flow chart showing the flow of instruction manualproduction processing.

FIG. 109 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of afurniture design support system utilizing a network.

FIG. 110 illustrates the contents of a CD-ROM.

FIG. 111 illustrates an example of display of a start window.

FIG. 112 illustrates an example of display of a userregistration/authentication window.

FIG. 113 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing of each of aserver computer and a client computer.

FIG. 114 illustrates an example of display of a main page.

FIG. 115 illustrates an example of display of a custom page.

FIG. 116 illustrates an example of display of a rendering page.

FIG. 117 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing for producing arendering page.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Contents

-   -   1 Furniture Design Support System        -   1.1 Outline of furniture design support system        -   1.2 Basic structures of units and parts        -   1.3 Configuration of furniture design support system        -   1.4 Basic information table (master file) and design drawing    -   2 Furniture Design Data        -   2.1 Completed furniture table        -   2.2 Unit number table        -   2.3 Unit arrangement table        -   2.4 Parting (cell) information table        -   2.5 Unit/part definition table        -   2.6 Drawer arrangement table        -   2.7 Door leaf arrangement table        -   2.8 Door pull arrangement table        -   2.9 Leg arrangement table        -   2.10 Parting board arrangement table    -   3 Processing I in Furniture Design Support System        -   3.1 Overall outline        -   3.2 Unit/part definition processing        -   3.3 Assembling processing        -   3.4 Drawing display/printing processing    -   4 Processing II in Furniture Design Support System (centered on        Display Screen)    -   5 Processing Drawing Production Processing    -   6 Manufacturing Process Drawing Production Processing    -   7 Instruction Manual Production Processing    -   8 Furniture Design Support System Utilizing Network        1 Furniture Design Support System        1.1 Outline of Furniture Design Support System

A furniture design support system is basically installed in a furnitureshop, a housing exhibit place, and other places for receiving a customerwho will purchase furniture. In the shop and other places, an operatoruses the furniture design support system, to design, with respect tofurniture of a type desired by the customer, the furniture while hearingor considering the desires of the customer for its shape, structure,size, material (wood, glass, etc.), members (including a metal fittingor part), color, etc. (produce furniture design data), and display on adisplay screen or print an image (a drawing) or the like representingthe appearance of the designed furniture to provide it to the customer.That is, the furniture design support system designs (simulates) thefurniture in a made-to-order manner in accordance with the desires ofthe customer.

Furthermore, the furniture design support system may, in some cases, beinstalled in a furniture manufacturing workshop, a design office (room),etc. In the furniture manufacturing workshop or the like, furnituredesign data is received from the furniture shop, the housing exhibitplace, or the like through a FD (Floppy Disk), a communication line, orthe like. The furniture design data is inputted into the furnituredesign support system installed in the furniture manufacturing workshopor the like. A furniture design drawing represented by the furnituredesign data inputted into the furniture design support system isoutputted (outputted on a screen, or printed out) from the furnituredesign support system. In the furniture manufacturing workshop or thelike, the furniture is manufactured on the basis of the outputted designdrawing. Furniture on which the desires of the customer are reflected ismanufactured. Of course, in the furniture manufacturing workshop or thelike, the furniture can be also designed using the furniture supportsystem.

There are a large number of types of furniture, for example, a chest, awardrobe, a closet, a cupboard, a bookcase, a sideboard, a cabinet, achest, a shelf, a wagon, a rack, and a desk. The furniture designsupport system pays attention to the idea that all of the large numberof types of furniture can be manufactured by combining members (an outerframe, a parting board, a drawer, a door leaf, a top board, a leg, adoor pull, a hinge, a castor, etc.) (units, parts, etc. described later)constituting the furniture, and has the idea as a basis.

A storage device in the furniture design support system previouslystores basic data (type, etc.) for each of the members constituting thefurniture (basic constituent members or components=units, components orparts=parts, and other members). The furniture design support system, inresponse to operator's entry, combines the data respectivelyrepresenting the members constituting the furniture which are previouslyprepared to design a lot of types of furniture. Moreover, it is possibleto design furniture having various shapes, structures, sizes, materials,material qualities, parts, colors, etc. by a variety of combinations ofthe data respectively representing the constituent members.

Furniture can be broadly classified into “with no legs (box)”, “withlegs”, “joinery”, etc. from the point of view of its structure.

In the present embodiment, description is made by focusing on the design(simulation) of furniture “with no legs (box)” and particularly, suchfurniture design that a basic structure (basic constituent members)constituting the furniture “with no legs (box)” is taken as a basis, andvarious members (parts), etc. are combined with the basic structure, tofinally design complete furniture.

The furniture “with no legs (box)” has one space whose boundary isdetermined by a plurality of walls. A frame is formed by the pluralityof walls. The inside of the frame is the above-mentioned space. The mostbasic frame of the structure of the furniture “with no legs (box)” isreferred to as a “unit” in the specification. The above-mentioned spacein the unit is referred to as a “cell” in the specification.

Generally, the space (cell) in the unit of the furniture “with no legs(box)” is further divided by one or a plurality of parting(partitioning) boards (plates) or other members, parts, etc. (e.g.,guides of a drawer). A smaller space formed by the division is alsoreferred to as a “cell” in the specification.

1.2 Basic Structures of Units and Parts

FIGS. 1 to 4 respectively illustrate examples of the structure of a unit(unit types).

A unit constituting furniture can be typically classified into threetypes, i.e., {circle around (1)} a top board and base board coveringtype, {circle around (2)} a side (end) board covering type, and {circlearound (3)} a miter joining type.

{circle around (1)} Top Board and Base Board Covering Type (FIGS. 1 (A)and 1 (B))

FIG. 1 (A) is a perspective view of a top board and base board coveringtype unit, and FIG. 1 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along a lineIB-IB shown in FIG. 1 (A). The top board and base board covering typeunit is so adapted that a top board (plate) 1 is joined (at both endsthereof) to upper end surfaces (upper edges) of two side (end) boards(plates) 3 and 4 in the same shape which are raised parallel to eachother with spacing provided therebetween on the right and left sidessuch that the upper end surfaces are covered from above, and a baseplate(base board or bottom plate) 2 is joined (at both ends thereof) to lowerend surfaces (lower edges) of the side (end) boards (plates) 3 and 4such that the lower end surfaces are covered from below. The upper endsurfaces of the side boards 3 and 4 and the top board 1 are joined toeach other, and the lower end surfaces of the side boards 3 and 4 andthe baseplate 2 are joined to each other, respectively, using adhesives,nails, screws, etc. or their combinations (the illustration of thenails, the screws, etc. is omitted) (the same is true for the side boardcovering type unit, described later). A space in a rectangularparallelepiped shape formed by inner surfaces of the top board 1, thebaseplate 2, and the side boards 3 and 4 is a “cell”. A front surface ofthe cell (on the front side) is opened. A back surface of the cell (onthe back side) is opened, or is closed by a back board (plate) (notshown). The same is true for the side board covering type unit and themiter joining type unit, described below. One end or both ends on eitherone of the right and the left sides of the top board 1 may projectsideward from the side boards 3 and 4. Similarly, one end or both endson either one of the right and the left sides of the baseplate 2 mayproject sideward from the side board 3 or 4.

{circle around (2)} Side Board Covering Type (FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B) andFIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B))

There are three side board covering types, which are taken as side boardcovering types I, II, and III.

FIG. 2 (A) is a perspective view of the side board covering type I unit,and FIG. 2 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IIB-IIBshown in FIG. 2 (A). The side board covering type I unit is so adaptedthat side boards (plates) 3 and 4 are respectively joined to right andleft end surfaces (edges) of each of a top board 1 and a baseplate 2which are arranged parallel to each other with spacing providedtherebetween such that they are respectively covered from the sides.Respective upper ends of the side boards 3 and 4 may project upward fromthe top board 1, and respective lower ends of the side boards 3 and 4may project downward from the baseplate 2.

FIG. 3 (A) is a perspective view of the side board covering type IIunit, and FIG. 3 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along a lineIIIB-IIIB shown in FIG. 3 (A). The side board covering type II unit isso adapted that side boards 3 and 4 are respectively joined to right andleft end surfaces (edges) of a baseplate 2 such that they arerespectively covered from the sides. Further, a top board 1 is joined torespective upper end surfaces (edges) of the side boards 3 and 4. Oneend or both ends on either one of the right and left sides of the topboard 1 may project sideward from the side board 3 or 4, and respectivelower ends of the side boards 3 and 4 may project downward from thebaseplate 2.

The side board covering type III unit is so adapted that two side boardsare respectively joined to right and left end surfaces (edges) of a topboard, and a baseplate is joined to lower end surfaces (edges) of thetwo side boards, whose illustration is omitted. Respective upper ends ofthe side boards may project upward from the top board, and one end orboth ends on either one of the right and left sides of the baseplate mayproject sideward from the side board.

{circle around (3)} Miter Joining Type (FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B))

FIG. 4 (A) is a perspective view of a miter joining type unit, and FIG.4 (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IVB-IVB shown in FIG.4 (A). Right and left end surfaces (edges) of each of a top board 1 anda baseplate 2 and upper and lower end surfaces (edges) of each of sideboards 3 and 4 are diagonally (obliquely) cut. The right and left cutsurfaces of the top board 1 and the cut surface at the upper end of eachof the side boards 3 and 4 are joined to each other, and the right andleft cut surfaces of the baseplate 2 and the cut surface at the lowerend of each of the side boards 3 and 4 are joined to each other. Aprojection (a tenon) (which is denoted by reference character 4 a inFIG. 4 (B)) and a recess (a mortise) (which is denoted by referencecharacter 1 a) in which the projection 4 a is fitted are respectivelyformed on one and the other of the cut surfaces which are joined to eachother. The cut surfaces are fixed (coupled) to each other by fitting theprojection and the recess to each other or using adhesives in additionto the fitting. The tenons and the mortises may be alternately providedover a plurality of portions. In the miter joining type unit, the topboard 1, the baseplate 2, and the side boards 3 and 4 need notnecessarily be fixed to each other using nails or screws. The top boardor the baseplate and the side board may be joined to each other byfitting the projection and the recess which are respectively formed attheir ends to each other.

FIG. 5 (A) illustrates an example of furniture including the top boardand base board covering type unit. FIGS. 5 (B), 5 (C) and 5 (D)respectively illustrate examples of furniture including the side boardcovering type I unit. FIGS. 6 (A), 6 (B) and 6 (C) respectivelyillustrate examples of furniture including the side board covering typeII unit. FIG. 6 (D) illustrates an example of furniture including themiter joining type unit. A lot of pieces of furniture include units ofany one or more of the above-mentioned three unit types.

In a cell in the unit, smaller cells are formed by parting boards,guides, or the like, as described above. The cell accommodates a drawerdepending on cases. A door leaf may, in some cases, be attached to anopened front surface of the unit. A door pull, a handle, or a knob may,in some cases, be attached to a front surface of the drawer, the doorleaf, or the like. Further, a caster may, in some cases, be attached toa bottom surface of the unit. A parting board, a guide, a drawer, a doorleaf, a door pull, a caster, etc. which are thus provided in the unit orthe cell are generically referred to as “parts” in the presentspecification.

FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B) respectively illustrate examples of furniturehaving parts.

In furniture 8 shown in FIG. 7 (A), a cell within a unit 8A is dividedinto upper and lower two small cells by a parting board 10, and a drawer6 is accommodated in each of the small cells such that it can be freelydrawn out. The parting board 10 is fixed to both side boards 3 and 4 anda back board 5 in the unit 8A. Door pulls 6 b are attached to a frontpanel 6 a of the drawer 6.

In furniture 9 shown in FIG. 7 (B), a cell within a unit 9A is dividedinto upper and lower two small cells by right and left two guides(supporting members) 10A. The right and left two guides 10A arerespectively fixed to side boards 3 and 4. The right and left two guides10A are positioned at a height approximately intermediate between a topboard 1 and a baseplate 2, and are spaced apart from the top board 1 andthe baseplate 2. A drawer 7 is accommodated in each of the small cellsdevided by the guides 10A such that it can be freely drawn out. Bothsides of the upper drawer 7 are respectively received by the guides 10A.Recesses 7 b serving as handles are formed in a lower part of a frontpanel 7 a of the drawer 7.

A drawer can be generally classified into two types, i.e., “an insettype” and “an overset type”. FIG. 7 (A) and 7 (B) respectivelyillustrate an inset type drawer and an overset type drawer.

An inset type drawer means a drawer of such a size that in a state whereit is accommodated in a cell, its front panel enters the cell.Generally, respective front end surfaces of the top board 1, thebaseplate 2, the side boards 3 and 4, and a front surface of the insettype drawer 6 (a front surface of the front panel 6 a) enter anapproximately flush state.

An overset type drawer means a drawer of such a size that in a statewhere it is accommodated in a cell, its front panel does not enter thecell. Generally when the overset type drawer 7 is accommodated in thecell, a reverse (back) surface of the front panel 7 a enters a statewhere it is brought into contact with respective front end surfaces ofthe top board 1, the baseplate 2, and the side boards 3 and 4.

1.3 Configuration of Furniture Design Support System

FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively illustrate the appearance of a furnituredesign support system and the electrical configuration thereof.

The furniture design support system comprises a computer system (e.g., apersonal computer) including a computer 20. An FD drive 14, a CD-ROM(Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) drive 15, an HD (Hard Disk) unit 16, anda memory 18 are connected to the computer 20. They are contained insidea computer main body case 19. A CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display device11, a keyboard 12, a mouse 13, and a printer 17 are connected to thecomputer 20. The FD drive 14 writes data into an FD 22, and reads outthe data from the FD 22. The CD-ROM drive 15 reads out a furnituredesign support program and data (a master file) from a CD-ROM 21. The HDunit 16 writes the furniture design support program and various types ofdata into a hard disk (HD), and reads out the program and the data fromthe HD. The HD for the computer system previously stores an operatingsystem (OS) for synthetically controlling the computer system.

Various screens (windows) are displayed on a display screen of thedisplay device 11, as described later, on the basis of display data fedfrom the computer 20. An operator (or a customer) overlaps a pointerwhich moves on the display screen in synchronization with the movementof the mouse 13 with various types of buttons (icons) displayed on thedisplay screen to click or positions the pointer on desired one ofvarious listed items to click, thereby entering a request, an intension,and a selection. Further, the operator uses the keyboard 12, to enternecessary data (numeric values, characters, etc.). The data enteredusing the mouse 13 or the keyboard 12 is accepted in the computer 20,and is used for the subsequent processing. The hard copy of a displayscreen displayed on the display screen of the display device 11 and theprinting of the results of the processing are made by the printer 17.

The furniture design support program and the data (including the masterfile) required to operate the computer system as the furniture designsupport system are recorded on the CD-ROM 21. The furniture designsupport program and the data which are stored in the CD-ROM 21 are readby the CD-ROM drive 15, and are installed in the HD in the HD unit 16.The screens (windows) which are displayed on the display screen of thedisplay device 11 are based on both the furniture design support programand the data which are installed in the HD, and the OS.

Furniture design data 25 is stored in the HD (furniture design data 25includes the contents of the master file). An image, a design drawing,etc. of furniture are represented by the furniture design data 25, asdescribed later.

1.4 Basic Information Table (Master File) and Design Drawing

The master file installed in the HD includes a basic information table.Master data used for designing furniture is stored in a hierarchicalstructure, as shown in FIG. 10, in the basic information table.

Described with respect to units is: a top board and base board coveringtype, a side board covering type, and a miter joining type (they arereferred to as a type classification 1), and the side board coveringtype is classified into side board covering types I, II and III (theyare referred to as a type classification 2).

Subsequently, a classification (a type classification 1) related toparts is described in the basic information table. Examples of the typeof drawer include an inset type and an overset type. Particularly as forthe drawer, its front panel is classified into a front panel 1(standard: wood) and a front panel 2 (with glass). A door leaf isclassified into a door leaf 1 (double swinging) and a door leaf 2(single swinging). The door leaf 2 (single swinging) is furtherclassified into a right swinging door leaf and a left swinging door leaf(a type classification 2). As for the parts, a classification for eachof a leg, a door pull, a parting board, a hinge, a key, etc. is furtherdefined.

Attributes for each of the units and the parts (a material, a materialquality (grain), a color, a board thickness, the thickness of a doorleaf, the thickness of a front panel of a drawer, etc.) are furtherdefined in the basic information table.

The basic information table also stores other data depending onprocessing which the furniture design support system is caused toperform. For example, the basic information table stores datarepresenting unit cost (price) per unit area for each type of wood, datarepresenting unit cost for each part, data representing a furniturepicture image obtained by photographing furniture, etc. in addition todata related to the units, the parts, the attributes, described above.

The basic information table, together with the furniture design supportprogram, is stored in the CD-ROM 21, and is installed in the HD in theHD unit 16 for the furniture design support system.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an example of a design drawing of furniturewhich is outputted from the printer 17. FIGS. 11 and 12 respectivelyillustrate a front view of the design drawing of the designed furnitureand a side view of the design drawing of the designed furniture.

The shape, the structure, and the size (the width, the depth, and theheight) of the furniture are indicted in the design drawing of thefurniture which is produced by the furniture design support system andis outputted. Description for designating the material, the materialquality (grain), the color (painting color), etc. of each of constituentmembers constituting the furniture may, in some cases, be further addedto the design drawing.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the X-coordinates, the Y-coordinates, theZ-coordinates, and the coordinates of each of reference points andfurther illustrate unit numbers, the names of typical parts, and partnumbers for convenience of explanation.

The furniture has a furniture number (described later) of “1113”, and isconstituted by two units (unit numbers “1113-01” and “1113-02”).

Description is made of the unit in the upper stage (unit number“1113-01”). The unit comprises as parts four parting boards (partnumbers “001” to “004”) (see FIG. 13), five drawers (part numbers “005”to “009”), and five door pulls (part numbers “010” to “014”).

A cell formed in the unit in the upper stage and a cell ID assignedthereto will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 (A) to 13 (C).

Referring to FIG. 13 (A), the unit includes one cell. A cell ID forspecifying a cell formed by a top board (plate), a baseplate (board), aleft side board (plate), and a right side board (plate) of the unit is“00” (hereinafter referred to as a cell ID “00”).

The cell in the unit is divided by parting boards (plates) (shelfboards). A plurality of cells which are smaller than the original cellare formed.

As shown in FIG. 13 (B), the cell having the cell ID “00” is divided bytwo parting boards extending in the transverse direction (part numbers“001” and “002”), to form three smaller cells. Cell IDs are respectivelyassigned to the three cells (cell IDs “01”, “02”, and “03”).

As shown in FIG. 13 (C), the cell having the cell ID “03” is divided bytwo parting boards extending in the longitudinal direction (part numbers“003” and “004”), to form three smaller cells. Cell IDs are respectivelyassigned to the three cells (cell IDs “04”, “05”, and “06”).

In the furniture design support system, the unit in the upper stage ofthe furniture shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is handled as one including sevencells (cell IDs “00” to “06”).

The unit in the lower stage (unit number “1113-02”) of the furnitureshown in FIGS. 11 and 12 also comprises as parts three parting boards,four drawers, four door pulls to be attached to front panels of thedrawers, one double swinging door leaf, one door pull (a pair of doorpulls) to be attached to the door leaf, a set of (four) hinges forattaching the double swinging door leaf to the unit, and a set of (four)legs (casters). The number of cells included in the unit is a total offive.

2 Furniture Design Data

FIGS. 14 to 23 illustrate the furniture design data 25 stored in the HDfor the furniture design support system. The furniture design data 25 isstored in various types of tables which are linked to one another.Specific data in the tables are utilized for expressing the designdrawing of the furniture shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and displaying theappearance of the furniture, for example.

2.1 Completed Furniture Table

A completed furniture table stores (memorizes, registers) data relatedto a furniture number, a furniture type, a furniture name, the date ofmanufacture, and the number of units, as shown in FIG. 14.

“Furniture number” is a unique number assigned for each furnituredesigned using the furniture design support system (hereinafter referredto as “completed furniture”).

“Furniture type” stores any one of “with no legs (box)”, “with legs”,and “joinery” depending on the type of the completed furniture.

“Furniture name” is data representing the name of the completedfurniture (a character string for display).

“Date of manufacture” represents a date (year, month, and day) on whichthe data related to the furniture number, the furniture type, thefurniture name, and the number of units (the data in a row direction)are stored in the complete furniture table.

“The number of units” represents the number of units included incompleted furniture. “2” and “3” are stored when the completed furniturerespectively include two units and three units.

As for the completed furniture shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the furniturenumber is “1113”, and the furniture name is “chest 3”. The chest 3 isconstituted by two units.

2.2 Unit Number Table

A unit number table stores data related to a furniture number, a unitnumber, a unit/part definition number, a unit/part definition name, andthe number of cells, as shown in FIG. 15.

“Furniture number” is the same as that in the above-mentioned completedfurniture table. The unit number table and the completed furniture tableare linked to each other by “furniture number”.

“Unit number” is a number assigned for each unit included in completedfurniture. For example, it indicates that two units respectivelyspecified by unit numbers “1113-01” and “1113-02” are included in thecompleted furniture having the furniture number 1113 (illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12). All tables, described later, are linked to the unitnumber table by “furniture number” and “unit number”.

“Unit/part definition number” and “unit/part definition name” will bedescribed later.

“The number of cells” represents the number of cells included in a unit.The above-mentioned two units respectively include seven cells and fivecells, as described above.

2.3 Unit Arrangement Table

A unit arrangement table stores data related to a furniture number; aunit number; a cell ID; arrangement information; a reference point (x,y, z); the overall size (uW, uD, uH); the size, the finishing color, andthe material of a portion 1 (a top board); the size, the finishing colorand the material of a portion 2 (a baseplate); the size, the finishingcolor and the material of a portion 3 (a left side board); the size, thefinishing color and the material of a portion 4 (a right side board)(not shown with respect to the portions 2 to 4); the number of parts;and the presence or absence of a leg, as shown in FIG. 16.

“Furniture number” and “unit number” are as described above.

“Cell ID” represents a cell ID for specifying a cell formed by a unit.

“Arrangement information” represents the positional relationship amongunits. When completed furniture includes a plurality of units, it isindicated what positional relationship exists among the units.

Data indicating that “1113-02 is integrally joined to bottom surface” isstored in “arrangement information” related to a unit number “1113-01”,and data indicating that “1113-01 is integrally joined to top surface”is stored in “arrangement information” related to a unit number“1113-02”. Therefore, it is indicated that in the completed furniture(“furniture number 1113”) a unit having the unit number “1113-01” and aunit having the unit number “1113-02” are respectively arranged in theupper stage and the lower stage, and a baseplate in the unit in theupper stage and a top board in the unit in the lower stage re composedof one board (are integrally joined to each other).

“Reference point (x, y, z)” indicates a point in the lower left frontcorner of a unit in a case where the unit is viewed from the front asthree-dimensional coordinates (x, y, z). When completed furniture isconstituted by a plurality of units, the point in the lower left frontcorner of the unit first designed is determined as the origin of thethree-dimensional coordinates.

“Overall size (uW, uD, uH)” expresses the size, i.e., the width (uW),the depth (uD), and the height (uH) of a unit, respectively, inmillimeters.

A unit is basically formed by a top board, a baseplate, a left sideboard, and a right side board, which are respectively taken as portions1, 2, 3, and 4. “Size of portion 1 (top board)”, “finishing color ofportion 1 (top board)”, and “material of portion 1 (top board)”respectively represent the size, the finishing color (painting color),and the material (the kind and the material quality (grain) of wood may,in some cases, be stored). With respect to the top board, the left sideboard, and the right side board, data representing the size, thefinishing color, and the material are also respectively stored. The datain the basic information table (FIG. 10) are used as the datarepresenting the finishing color and the material.

“The number of parts” represents the number of parts included in a unit.

“Presence or absence of leg” indicates whether or not a leg (a caster,etc.) is attached to a unit.

2.4 Parting (Cell) Information Table

A parting (partitioning) (cell) information table stores data related toa furniture number, a unit number, a cell ID, the number of transverseparting, the number of longitudinal parting, a parent cell ID, a lateral(transverse) position in the parent cell, a longitudinal position in theparent cell, a reference point (x, y, z), a size (cW, cD, cH), anarranged part definition name, a division level, etc.

“Cell ID” represents a number for identifying each of cells included ina unit specified by a unit number. As described above, the unit havingthe unit number “1113-01” includes seven cells, and cell IDs (“”00”,“01”, “02”, “03”, “04, “05”, and “06”) are respectively assigned to theseven cells.

“The number of transverse parting” represents the number of partingboards arranged in the transverse direction (the horizontal direction).“The number of longitudinal parting” represents the number of partingboards arranged in the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction).For example, the cell (unit) having the cell ID “00” is provided withtwo horizontal parting boards (transverse parting boards), so that “2”is stored in the section of “the number of transverse parting”.

“Parent cell ID” represents, in a case where a cell is divided byparting boards so that a plurality of cells are included, a cell IDassigned to the original cell (the cell which has not been divided). Forexample, “00” is stored in “parent cell ID” in each of the cellsrespectively having the cell IDs “01”, “02”, and “03”. The cellsrespectively having the cell IDs “01”, “02, and “03” indicate that theyare cells formed by dividing the cell having the cell ID “00” by partingboards. A cell such as the cell having the cell ID “00” is referred toas a “parent cell”, and cells such as the cells having the cell IDs“01”, “02, and “03” are referred to as “child cells” of the cell havingthe cell ID “00”.

“Lateral position in parent cell” indicates how many child cells arethere from the left in a parent cell in a case where a unit is viewedfrom the front. For example, with respect to the cell having the cell ID“06”, “3” is stored in “lateral position in parent cell”. A parent cellincluding the cell having the cell ID “06” is the cell having the cellID “03”. The cell having the cell ID “06” is the third child cell fromthe left in the parent cell (the cell having the cell ID “03”).

“Longitudinal position in parent cell” indicates how many child cellsare there from the bottom in a parent cell in a case where a unit isviewed from the front. For example, with respect to the cell having thecell ID “02”, “2” is stored in “lateral position in parent cell”. Aparent cell including the cell having the cell ID “02” is the cellhaving the cell ID “00”. The cell having the cell ID “02” is the secondchild cell from the bottom in the parent cell (the cell having the cellID “00”).

“Reference point (x, y, z)” represents the three-dimensional coordinates(x, y, z) of a point in the lower left front corner of a cell in a casewhere a unit is viewed from the front.

“Size (cW, cD, cH)” represents the size, i.e., the width (cW), the depth(cD), and the height (cH) of a cell.

“Arranged part definition name” represents a unit/part definition name(described later) of a part attached to (stored in) a cell.

“Division level” indicates how many divisions are made to form a cell.For example, the cells respectively having the cell IDs “01”, “02”, and“03” are formed by dividing the cell having the cell ID “00”, so that“1” is stored in “division level”. The cells respectively having thecell IDs “04”, “05”, and “06” are formed by dividing the cell having thecell ID “00” and further dividing the cell having the cell ID “03” whichis a child cell of the cell having the cell ID “00”, so that “divisionlevel” is “2”. The parting (cell) information table further stores datarelated to the presence or absence of a parting board, the priorityrelationship of longitudinal parting boards or transverse partingboards, the presence or absence of a back board, and an offset value(described later).

2.5 Unit/Part Definition Table

A unit/part definition table stores data related to a unit/part type, aunit/part definition number, a unit/part definition name, a typeclassification 1, a type classification 2, a type classification 3, theoverall size, the size, the finishing color, the material, etc. of eachof portions 1 to 4 (not shown with respect to the finishing color andthe material of the portion 2 and with respect to the portions 3 and 4),as shown in FIG. 18. The data stored in the unit/part definition tableare generically referred to as “definition data”. That is, the datadescribed in the unit/part definition table are data inputted (defined)by an operator (or a customer) with respect to units and parts whenfurniture is designed using the furniture design support system. Thedefinition data stored in the unit/part definition table can be utilizedfor a plurality of pieces of completed furniture (or a portion of them),and can be utilized even many times.

“Unit/part type” represents a unit itself or represents, in the case ofa part, the type of the part.

“Unit/part definition number” is a unique number assigned to each of theunits and the parts to which the definition data is given.

“Unit/part definition name” represents a name (a character code fordisplaying the name) given by the operator (or the customer) to each ofthe units and the parts to which the definition data is given.

“Type classification 1”, “type classification 2”, and “typeclassification 3” represent definitions given by the operator (or thecustomer) using the master data stored in the basic information table(FIG. 10) with respect to the unit or the part (the type classification3 is not illustrated in FIG. 10).

For example, “type classification 1” related to a unit indicates whichof a top board and base board covering type, a side board covering typeand a miter joining type is the type of the unit. When “typeclassification 1” is the end board covering type, data indicating whichof a side board covering type I, a side board covering type II, and aside board covering type III is the type is further described in “typeclassification 2”. “Type classification 1” related to a drawer indicateswhich of a standard type and a type with glass is the type of a frontpanel of the drawer.

“Overall size” represents the size, i.e., the width (W), the depth (D)and the height (H) of a unit or the width, the depth and the height of apart (which may, in some cases, represent the lateral length, thelongitudinal length, and the thickness of the part). With respect to thepart, the overall size may not, in some cases, be defined.

The size, the finishing color and the material of each of the portions 1to 4 respectively represent, in a case where a unit or a part isconstituted by a plurality of members, the size, the finishing color(painting color) and the material of each of the members.

The portions 1 to 4 are previously determined depending on the type ofthe unit or the part. As described above, with respect to the unit, atop board, a baseplate, a left side board, and a right side board arerespectively the portions 1, 2, 3, and 4, as described above. Withrespect to the drawer, a front panel is the portion 1, and the otherboard is the portion 2. With respect to the part, the sizes of theportions may not, in some cases, be defined.

Various types of tables, described below, are linked to the unit/partdefinition table by the unit/part definition number and the unit/partdefinition name.

2.6 Drawer Arrangement Table

Data related to a drawer which is one of parts is stored in a drawerarrangement table. The drawer arrangement table stores data related to afurniture number, a unit number, a cell ID, a part number, a unit/partdefinition number, a unit/part definition name, a reference point (x, y,z), a size, a finishing color (a front panel), a material (a frontpanel), a finishing color (other than the front panel), a material(other than the front panel), a setting method, and the number of parts,as shown in FIG. 19.

“Furniture number”, “unit number”, and “cell ID”-respectively representthe furniture number of completed furniture accommodating the drawer,the unit number of a unit accommodating the drawer, and the cell IDassigned to a cell accommodating the drawer.

“Part number” represents an identification number assigned to eachdrawer. The part number is unique irrespective of the type of part inone unit. “Reference point (x, y, z)” represents the three-dimensionalcoordinates of a point in the lower left front corner of a front panelcomposing the drawer. “Size” represents the size, i.e., the width, thedepth, and the height of the whole drawer. “Finishing color (frontpanel)” and “material (front panel)” respectively represent the color ofthe front panel and the material (the type or the like of wood) of thefront panel. “Finishing color (other than the front panel)” and“material (other than the front panel)” respectively represent the colorof a box portion other than the front panel of the drawer and thematerial of the box portion other than the front panel of the drawer.

“Setting method” indicates which of an overset type and an inset type isthe type of the drawer. “The number of parts” represents the number ofparts (e.g., door pulls) attached to the front panel of the drawer.

2.7 Door Leaf Arrangement Table

A door leaf arrangement table stores data related to a door leaf whichis one of parts. The door leaf arrangement table stores data related toa furniture number, a unit number, a cell ID, a part number, a unit/partdefinition number, a unit/part definition name, a reference point (x, y,z), a size, a finishing color, a material, a setting method, and thenumber of parts, as shown in FIG. 20.

“Furniture number”, “unit number”, and “cell ID” respectively representthe furniture number of completed furniture to which a door leaf isattached, the unit number of a unit to which the door leaf is attached,and the cell ID of a cell to which the door leaf is attached.

“Part number” represents an identification number assigned to each doorleaf. “Reference point (x, y, z)” represents the three-dimensionalcoordinates of a point in the lower left front corner of the door leaf.“Size” represents the size, i.e., the lateral length, the longitudinallength and the board thickness of the door leaf. “Finishing color”represents the color of the door leaf, and “material” represents thetype of wood or the like used for the door leaf.

“Setting method” indicates which of an overset type and an inset type isthe type of a door leaf (a door leaf attached so as to be brought intocontact with front end surfaces of right and left side boards of a unitis an overset type door leaf, and a door leaf arranged inside the sideboards is an inset type door leaf). “The number of parts” represents thenumber of parts (e.g., door pulls) attached to the door leaf.

2.8 Door Pull Arrangement Table

A door pull arrangement table stores data related to a door pull whichis one of parts. The door pull arrangement table stores data related toa furniture number, a unit number, a parent part number, a cell ID, apart number, a unit/part definition number, a unit/part definition name,arrangement information, a reference point (x, y, z), a size, afinishing color, and a material, as shown in FIG. 21.

“Furniture number”, “unit number”, “parent part number”, and “cell ID”respectively represent the furniture number of completed furniture towhich the door pull is attached, the unit number of a unit to which thedoor pull is attached, the part number of a part (a parent part, forexample, a drawer) to which the door pull is attached, and the cell IDof a cell to which the door pull is attached.

“Part number” represents an identification number assigned to each doorpull. “Arrangement information” represents the arrangement relationship(center, upper portion, lower portion, left end, right end, etc.) of afront panel of the drawer or a door leaf to which the door pull isattached. “Reference point (x, y, z)” represents the coordinates of apoint in the lower left front corner of the door pull. “Size” representsthe size, i.e., the width, the depth and the height of the door pull.“Finishing color” represents the color of the door pull, and “material”represents the type of material (aluminum, etc.) used for the door pull.

2.9 Leg Arrangement Table

A leg arrangement table stores data related to a leg which is one ofparts. The leg arrangement table stores data related to a furniturenumber, a unit number, a part number, a unit/part definition number, aunit/part definition name, a reference point (x, y, z), a size, afinishing color, and a material, as shown in FIG. 22.

When a unit is provided with a leg, one leg (stand) is provided on thewhole of a bottom surface of the unit, or respective one legs areprovided in the four corners of the bottom surface of the unit. In thiscase, the data in a row direction which are stored in the legarrangement table are data related to four-in-a-set legs.

“Furniture number” and “unit number” respectively represent thefurniture number of completed furniture to which a leg (e.g., a caster)is attached and the unit number of a unit to which the leg is attached.“Part number” represents an identification number assigned to one set oflegs.

“Reference point (x, y, z)” represents the three-dimensional coordinatesof the center of a joint portion between the leg positioned on the leftfront side of the unit out of the legs attached to the bottom surface ofthe unit and the bottom surface of the unit, for example. “Size”represents the size, i.e., the width, the depth, and the height of theleg. “Finishing color” and “material” respectively represent the colorof the leg and the type of wood or the like used for the leg (when thetype of the leg is “caster”, data representing the material is omitted).

2.10 Parting Board Arrangement Table

A parting board arrangement table stores data related to a parting boardwhich is one of parts. The parting board arrangement table stores datarespectively related to a furniture number, a unit number, a cell ID, apart number, a unit/part definition number, a unit/part definition name,a reference point (x, y, z), a size, a finishing color, a material, andfixing/movable, as shown in FIG. 23.

“Furniture number”, “unit number”, and “cell ID” respectively representthe furniture number of completed furniture to which a parting board isattached, the unit number of a unit to which the parting board isattached, and the cell ID of a cell to which the parting board isattached.

“Part number” represents an identification number assigned to eachparting board attached to completed furniture.

“Reference point (x, y, z)” represents the three-dimensional coordinatesof a point in the lower left front corner of the parting board in a casewhere the completed furniture is viewed from the front. “Size”represents the size of the parting board (the length in the lateraldirection (the width direction), the length in the longitudinaldirection (the depth direction), and the thickness (the board thicknessof the parting board). “Finishing color” represents the color of theparting board, and “material” represents the type of wood or the likeused for the parting board.

“Fixing/movable” indicates whether the parting board is fixed to theunit or is detachable (movable).

FIG. 24 illustrates the relationship among various types of data tables(FIGS. 14 to FIG. 23), described above.

3 Processing I in Furniture Design Support System

3.1 Overall Outline

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the procedure for processing in thefurniture design support system.

The processing operation of the furniture design support system conformsto the furniture design support program stored in the HD in the HD unit6. When an operator of the furniture design support system uses themouse 13 to start the furniture design support program stored in the HD,the furniture design support program is read out of the HD, and isexecuted by the computer 20. FIGS. 37 to 39, FIGS. 41 to 43, FIGS. 47 to49, and FIGS. 51 to 59 illustrate examples of a window displayed on thedisplay screen of the display device 11 in accordance with the furnituredesign support program.

When the furniture design support program is started, a main menu windowW1 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11 as aninitial screen, as shown in FIG. 37 (step 31). “A window is displayed ona display screen of a display device 11” is hereinafter merely referredto as “A window is displayed”.

The main menu window W1 is provided with buttons “unit/part define”,“assemble”, “drawing display/print”, and “system terminate”. When theoperator moves (overlaps) the cursor 26 using the mouse 13 to theposition of the button and clicks, processing corresponding to theclicked button is selected (step 32), and the selected processing isperformed (steps 33 to 36). “An operator moves a cursor 26 using a mouse13 to the position of a desired button (or an area) on a window andclicks” is hereinafter merely referred to as “An operator clicks abutton (or an area)”.

When the “unit/part define” button is clicked, unit/part definitionprocessing is started (step 33).

The unit/part definition processing is processing for selecting(designating or specifying) a unit used for furniture to be designed andparts (a drawer, a door leaf, etc.) provided in the unit, defining(designating or specifying) the size, the finishing color, the material,the material quality, etc. of the selected unit, and defining(designating or specifying) the finishing color, the material, etc. ofeach of the parts. Data defined in the unit/part definition processingare stored in the unit/part definition table (see FIG. 18). Theunit/part definition processing is performed prior to “assemblingprocessing” and “drawing display/printing processing” next described.The details of the unit/part definition processing will be describedlater.

When the “assemble” button is clicked, assembling processing is started(step 34).

The assembling processing is processing for combining (assembling) onthe screen the unit and the parts which are defined in theabove-mentioned unit/part definition processing. By passing through theassembling processing, a front view of assembled furniture (completedfurniture) or a portion thereof is displayed in the window displayed onthe display screen. When the furniture is assembled on the displayscreen, the furniture design data is stored in the HD. The details ofthe assembling processing will be described later.

When the “drawing-display/print” button is clicked, drawingdisplay/printing processing is started (step 35).

In the drawing display/printing processing, processing for displaying onthe display screen of the display device 11 the appearance of thecompleted furniture designed in the assembling processing (step 34)depending on the selection of the type of drawing (a front view, a sideview, a rear view, etc.) and processing for displaying on the displayscreen a design drawing (generally, all kinds of drawings) of thecompleted furniture, printing the design drawing by the printer 17 tooutput are performed. Further, in the drawing display/printingprocessing, processing for changing the size (width, depth, and height)of the completed furniture, the finishing color (painting color), etc.,for example, is also performed if required. The details of the drawingdisplay/printing processing will be described later.

When the “system terminate” button is clicked, all processing of thefurniture design support program is terminated (step 36).

3.2 Unit/Part Definition Processing

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the procedure for the unit/partdefinition processing.

When the “unit/part define” button is clicked in the main menu window W1(FIG. 37), a unit/part selection window W2 is displayed in place of oron the main menu window W1, as shown in FIG. 38 (step 41).

A unit/part display area A1 is displayed in the unit/part selectionwindow W2. Further, “erase”, “next” and “definition terminate” buttonsare provided therein.

In the unit/part display area A1, the names of the types of units andparts (a type classification 1 for the units, and a drawer, a frontpanel of the drawer, a door leaf, a leg, etc. for the parts) in thebasic information table (FIG. 10) are displayed by a list. When a scrollbar on the right side of the unit/part display area A1 is moved upwardor downward using the mouse 13, the list of the names displayed in theunit/part display area A1 is scrolled upward or downward. An operatorselects the names of the unit and the part which a customer desires toemploy for furniture out of the names of the units and the parts whichare displayed on the unit/part display area A1.

Referring to FIG. 26, when the unit is selected, the operator clicks anyone of the names of three unit types (a top board and base boardcovering type, a side board covering type, and a miter joining type)which are displayed in the unit/part display area A1 (step 42). Thecolor of a portion including the name of the selected unit type ischanged in the unit/part display area A1. When the “next” button isclicked (“Next” in step 43), processing for providing more detailed datainput is started with respect to the selected unit type (steps 44 to49).

In the detailed data input processing related to the unit (steps 44 to49), the designation of a material, a color, etc. used for the unit(step 44), the designation of the presence or absence of a back board(step 45), and the designation of a unit size (step 46) are performed bya wizard format (such a format that data input is successively advancedin response to a question from the furniture design support program). Ofcourse, one window for the data input may be displayed on the displayscreen. In this case, the wizard format need not be employed.

In the designation of a material, a color, etc. (step 44), a list of thetypes of materials (the types of wood or the like) is first displayed bycharacters or a combination of characters and images. The displayedtypes of materials are based on the data stored in the basic informationtable (FIG. 10). The operator selects a desired material for each of atop board, a baseplate, a left side board, and a right side board fromthe list. Similarly, even with respect to each of a color (finishingcolor), a material quality (grain), a pattern, etc., a list of the typesthereof is displayed on the display screen by characters or acombination of characters and images (not shown). The display of thelist is based on the data stored in the basic information table (FIG.10). The operator selects, from the displayed lists of colors, materialqualities (grains), patterns, etc., desired ones for each of the topboard, the baseplate, the left side board, and the right side board ofthe unit. The inputted (selected) data are temporarily stored in thememory 18.

In the designation of the presence or absence of a back board (step 45),data indicating whether or not the back board is attached to the unit isinputted. The inputted data is temporarily stored in the memory 18.

In the designation of the size of the unit (step 46), data representingthe size of the unit is inputted. An example of a window (a size inputwindow W3) displayed on the display screen in the size designation (step46) is shown in FIG. 39. The size input window W3 includes a numericvalue input box W3 a for inputting the size, i.e., the width, theheight, and the depth of the unit. The operator enters values desired bythe customer in the numeric value input box W3 a for the width, theheight, and the depth of the unit using the keyboard 12. The entereddata are temporarily stored in the memory 18.

When the size (width, depth, and height) of the unit is inputted, thethickness of each of the top board, the baseplate, and the right andleft side boards which constitute the unit, the size of each of the topboard, the baseplate, and the right and left side boards, and the width,the depth and the height of a cell formed by the unit are calculated bythe furniture design support program in consideration of the typeclassification 1 of the unit selected in the step 42 and the materialselected in the step 44 (steps 47 and 48).

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing an example of the board thicknessdetermination processing (step 47) by the furniture design supportprogram in detail.

Data related to a material such as wood composing a unit which isentered by the operator and is temporarily stored in the memory 18 anddata related to the size (width, depth, and height) of the unit aretransferred to a work area of the memory 18 (step 55).

Woods such as “mahogany”, “teak”, and “pine” differ in hardness(strength) for each kind (type). Mahogany is harder than teak, and teakis harder than pine. When units which are the same in size and strengthare manufactured, the board thickness of the wood in a case where teakis used must be made larger than that in a case where mahogany is used.The board thickness of the wood in a case where pine is used must bemade larger than that in a case where teak is used. Further, the boardthickness of the wood used for the unit of a large size must be largerthan the board thickness used for the unit of a small size. In thefurniture design support program, a calculation rule for calculating aboard thickness on the basis of data representing the typeclassification 1 of the unit, the kind of the wood, and the size of theunit is described.

The calculation rule is such a rule that a board thickness is set to 30mm when the inputted height (uH) of the unit is smaller than a referencevalue previously determined, while being set to 50 mm when the height isthe same as or larger than the reference value, for example. Thereference values and the numeric values of the board thicknessdetermined in accordance with the reference values respectively differdepending on the kind of the wood. Such a board thickness that a unit tobe manufactured has predetermined strength is determined on the basis ofthe characteristics (strength, etc.) and the size of a wood materialused for the unit (step 56 and steps 57, 58, and 59).

The determined board thickness is temporarily stored in the memory 18(step 60).

Of course, the operator (or the customer) may be requested to enter aproper size again without performing board thickness determinationprocessing when any one of the inputted width, depth, and height of theunit is smaller than the minimum value previously determined or islarger than the maximum value previously determined.

Furthermore, a board thickness used in the horizontal direction (thetransverse direction) for the unit and a board thickness used in thevertical direction (the longitudinal direction) for the unit may havedifferent values depending on the inputted size (width, depth, andheight) of the unit. Further, the operator may be caused to enter theboard thickness. In this case, the board thickness calculationprocessing (step 47 in FIG. 26) is skipped.

Data representing the type classification 1 (top board and base boardcovering, side board covering, or miter joining) of the unit is thenread into the work area of the memory 18. The sizes of the top board,the baseplate, and the side boards which constitute the unit and thesize of the cell are calculated from the data representing the typeclassification 1 of the unit (which has already been specified in thestep 42) and data representing the board thickness determined in thestep 47 (step 48). FIG. 40 illustrates the relationship among the size(width, depth, and height) of the unit which are entered by theoperator, the board thickness determined by the furniture design supportprogram, the sizes of the top board, the baseplate, and the side boardswhich are calculated by the furniture design support program, and thesize of the cell. This is a case of a side board covering type I unit(there is no back board).

Let uW, uD, and uH be respectively the width, the depth, and the heightof the unit which are inputted by the operator. Let uxT be the thicknessof the longitudinal board (the side board) determined in the boardthickness determination processing (step 47), and uzT be the thicknessof the lateral board (the top board and the baseplate). In the case ofthe side board covering type I unit, the size (width and length) of thetop board and the baseplate, the size (width and length) of the sideboard, and the size (width, depth, and height) of the cell arecalculated.

The size in the transverse (lateral) (width) direction of the top boardand the size in the transverse direction (width) of the baseplate:UW−2uxT

The size in the depth direction (width) of the top board and thebaseplate

uD

The size in the transverse direction (width) of the side board

UD

The size in the height direction (length) of the side board

uH

The size in the width direction (cW) of the cellcW=uW−2uxT

The size in the depth direction (cD) of the cellcD=uD

The size in the height direction (cH) of the cellcH=uH−2uzT

In the furniture design support program, with respect to a side boardcovering type unit II, a side board covering type unit III, a top boardand base board covering type unit, and a miter joining type unit inaddition to the side board covering type unit I, an equation forcalculating the sizes of a top board, a baseplate, and side boards andthe size of a cell formed by the unit is described. The size (width,depth, and height) of the unit which is entered by the operator and theboard thickness determined by the furniture design support program aresubstituted in an equation corresponding to the selected unit type, sothat the sizes of the top board, the baseplate, and the side boards andthe size of the cell are calculated by the furniture design supportprogram. Data representing the calculated size is temporarily stored inthe memory 18.

When data indicating that a unit is provided with a back board isinputted, the foregoing equation also includes a parameter representingthe thickness of the back board. The thickness of the back board may bea fixed value, or may be determined depending on the size of the unit.The size of the back board is also calculated.

After the calculation of the size of each of the boards is terminated, adata storage name input window W4 shown in FIG. 41 is displayed. Thedata storage name input window W4 includes an input box W4 a forinputting a data storage name, and is provided with “return”, “cancel”and “end” buttons.

The keyboard 12 is used by the operator so that a storage name isinputted into the input box W4 a, and the “end” button is clicked.Consequently, the storage name inputted into the input box W4 a,together with a type classification and data temporarily stored in thememory 18 (data representing a size, a material, a color, etc.), isstored and retained as a unit/part definition name in the unit/partdefinition table (FIG. 18) (step 49). The display on the display screenis returned to the unit/part selection window W2 again (step 41).

When there are a plurality of unit types to be employed for furniture tobe designed, the above-mentioned operations are repeated. Every time theabove-mentioned operations are repeated, data (a record) related to theinputted unit is added to the unit/part definition table (FIG. 18).

In a case where the “cancel” button is clicked in the data storage nameinput window W4, when characters are inputted into the input box, thecharacters are erased. When the “return” button is clicked, the sizeinput window W3 is displayed again in place of the data storage nameinput window W4.

When a part is subjected to data definition, a portion including any oneof the names of the parts displayed in the unit/part display area A1 inthe unit/part selection window W2 is clicked by the operator (step 42).The color of the portion including the name of the selected part ischanged. When the “next” button is clicked (“Next” in step 43),processing for requesting to input detailed data is started with respectto the selected part (steps 50 to 52).

In the processing for inputting the detailed data respectively relatedto the part, the designation of a shape, etc. (step 50) and thedesignation of a material, a color, etc. (step 51) are successivelyperformed.

For example, it is assumed that “door leaf” is selected as a part.Either a door leaf 1 (double swinging) or a door leaf 2 (singleswinging) is selected (step 50; selection of a type classification 1).Here, when the door leaf 2 (single swinging) is selected, either rightswinging or left swinging is selected. A material, a finishing color, amaterial quality (grain), a pattern, etc. are then designated (step 51).Finally, the data storage name input window W4 (FIG. 41) is displayed,and a data storage name is inputted into the input box W4 a. Definitiondata related to the selected part is stored in the unit/part definitiontable (FIG. 18) (step 52).

When a plurality of parts are used for furniture to be designed,processing (operations) in the steps 41 to 52 is repeated. Every timethe above-mentioned operations are repeated, data (a record) inputtedwith respect to the parts is added to the unit/part definition table(FIG. 18). At this time, a unit/part definition number is automaticallyadopted (a serial number is assigned) with respect to each of thedefined unit and parts, and is stored in correspondence with a unit/partdefinition name.

When the unit/part definition processing is terminated, the operatorclicks the “definition terminate” button in the unit/part selectionwindow W2 (FIG. 38) (“definition termination” in step 43). The main menuwindow W1 (FIG. 37) is displayed again on the display screen of thedisplay device 11 (step 31).

The “erase” button in the unit/part selection window W2 is used in acase where data related to a particular unit or part in the unit/partdefinition table (FIG. 18) is to be erased. When “door pull” displayedin the unit/part display area A1 is selected by being clicked, forexample, and the “erase” button is then clicked (“Erasure” in step 43),the data stored with respect to “door pull” in the unit/part definitiontable are all cleared (erased) (step 54).

3.3 Assembling Processing

FIGS. 28 to 30 are flow charts showing the procedure for assemblingprocessing.

The assembling processing is processing for combining units and partswhich have been subjected to data definition in the above-mentionedunit/part definition processing, to design furniture in a completedstate (completed furniture) or a portion thereof.

When the “assemble” button is clicked in the main menu window W1 (FIG.37), the program proceeds to the assembling processing (step 34). Asshown in FIG. 42, an assembling main window W5 is displayed in place ofor on the main menu window W1 (step 61).

In the assembling main window W5 (FIG. 42), a unit/part display area B1,an assembled furniture display area B2, and a completed furnituredisplay area B3 are displayed. Further, the assembling main window W5 isprovided with “selection load”, “parting define”, “arrangementdesignate”, “color tone change”, “furniture store”, and “end” buttons.

An image representing a front view of each of the units and the partswhich have been subjected to data definition in the above-mentionedunit/part definition processing is displayed in the unit/part displayarea B1. Under the image representing each of the units and the parts, aunit/part definition name assigned for the unit or the part isdisplayed. The image representing the unit or the part may not reflectthe data representing a size, a color, etc. described in the unit/partdefinition table (FIG. 18) but may merely represent the type of the unitor the part. In the example of the furniture shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,two units are used. Both the units are of the same type (unit 1) (seethe unit/part definition number “001” in the unit/part definition table(FIG. 18)). Accordingly, only an image related to the one unit (unit 1)is displayed in the unit/part display area B1. The same is true for thepart.

The assembled furniture display area B2 is used for combining(assembling) the units and the parts which are displayed in theunit/part display area B1. An image representing the results of thecombination is displayed.

In the completed furniture display area B3, an image representingcompleted furniture (or a portion thereof) including the units and theparts is displayed.

In an initial state, the images respectively representing all the unitsand the parts which have been subjected to data definition in theabove-mentioned unit/part definition processing are displayed in theunit/part display area B1 in the assembling main window W5. Nothing isdisplayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 and the completedfurniture display area B3.

The unit (unit 1) displayed in the unit/part display area B1 is firstselected by being clicked using the mouse 13 (step 62), and the“selection load” button is then clicked (step 63). As shown in FIG. 43,the selected unit is displayed in the assembled furniture display areaB2 (steps 64 and 65) (No in the step 64 because the unit is firstdesignated).

The completed furniture is assembled (furniture design data is produced)by clicking using the mouse 13 and selecting the unit or the part, whichshould be employed for the completed furniture, out of the units and theparts which are displayed in the unit/part display area B1 anddesignating a manner of combination of the selected unit or part and theunit or part displayed in the furniture display area B2 (for example,which part should be attached, to which cell the part should beattached, etc.).

An example of the flow of assembling of the completed furniture will bespecifically described using FIGS. 44 (A) to 44 (D), 45 (A) to 45 (D)and FIG. 46.

As described above, the image representing the unit to be used for thecompleted furniture is first selected by being clicked out of the imagesrespectively representing the units which are displayed in the unit/partdisplay area B1 by the operator (step 62). Thereafter, when the“selection load” button is clicked (step 63), the image representing theselected unit displayed in the unit/part display area B1 is displayed inthe assembled furniture display area B2 (No in step 64, step 65, FIG. 44(A), which is the same as the image in the assembled furniture displayarea B2 shown in FIG. 43). The unit is denoted by reference numeral 210,and a cell in the unit 210 is denoted by reference numeral 200.

The data (size, finishing color, material quality, etc.) stored in theunit/part definition table (FIG. 18) are reflected on the imagesrespectively representing the units and the parts (finally, the imagerepresenting the completed furniture) which are displayed in theassembled furniture display area B2. When the definition that the colorof a top board (portion 1) of the unit 1 is “no color (a materialcolor)”, for example, is stored in the unit/part definition table, animage representing a unit having a top board in the color of thematerial (a mahogany color) of the top board which is stored in thecolumn “material of portion 1 (top board)” of the unit/part definitiontable is displayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 on thebasis of data representing the material of the top board. Of course,only the shape may be displayed on a screen by omitting the color or thelike. In any case, there are data representing the type of unit and datarepresenting the size, the color, the material, etc, of the unit.Therefore, the image representing the unit can be displayed in theassembled furniture display area B2. The image representing thefurniture may be displayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 bya program (e.g., CAD software) other than the furniture design supportprogram.

When the unit is displayed in the assembled furniture display area B2, abranch number (−01) in the unit number is adopted and is stored in thecolumn “unit number” of the unit number table (FIG. 15), the unitarrangement table (FIG. 16), and the parting (cell) information table(FIG. 17).

The column “unit/part definition number” and the column “unit/partdefinition name” related to the unit number “−01” of the unit numbertable (FIG. 15) respectively store “unit/part definition number” (001)and “unit/part definition name” (unit 1) (which are stored in theunit/part definition table (FIG. 18)) related to the unit displayed inthe assembled furniture display area B2. The column “the number ofcells” of the unit number table (FIG. 15) stores “1” as an initialvalue.

The column “overall size”, the column “size of portion 1 (top board)”,etc. related to the unit number “−01” of the unit arrangement table(FIG. 16) also respectively store the same data as those in theunit/part definition table (FIG. 18). The cell ID “00” of the cell 200is determined and is stored in the column “cell ID”.

A point in the lower left front corner of the unit 210 first displayedin the assembled furniture display area B2 is taken as the origin “(x,y, z)=(0, 0, 0). Three-dimensional coordinates (0, 0, 0) are stored inthe column “reference point” related to the unit number “−01” of theunit arrangement table (FIG. 16).

In the parting (cell) information table (FIG. 17), the cell ID “00” forthe cell 200 is stored in the column “cell ID”. The column “referencepoint” stores the three-dimensional coordinates (30, 0, 30) of a pointin the lower left front corner of the cell 200 which are calculated onthe basis of the board thicknesses of a top board and a left side boardof the unit 201 on the basis of the point in the lower left front corner(the origin) of the unit 210. The column “size (cW, cD, cH)” stores thewidth, the depth, and the height (cW, cD, cH)=(940, 610, 390) of thecell 200 (the cell ID “00”) which are previously calculated and aretemporarily stored in the memory 18 (the size of the cell may becalculated again).

When the completed furniture is caused to include a plurality of units,the image representing the unit is clicked again out of the imagesrespectively representing the units which are displayed in the unit/partdisplay area B1 by the operator (step 69). For example, the imagerepresenting the unit 1 which is displayed in the unit/part display areaB1 is clicked again, and the “selection load” button is then clicked(step 63). The answer is in the affirmative in the step 64 because oneunit has already been displayed in the assembled furniture display areaB2. An arrangement designation window W7 is displayed on the displayscreen, as shown in FIG. 47 (step 66).

The arrangement designation window W7 is a window for designating thepositional (arrangement) relationship between two units.

In the arrangement designation window W7, “attachment surfacedesignation” and “alignment” can be inputted with respect to thearrangement relationship between the unit (unit 1) which has alreadybeen displayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 (referred toas “displayed unit”) and the unit (unit 1) newly selected (referred toas “selected unit”) (step 67).

In “attachment surface designation”, as shown in FIG. 47, when a topsurface of the selected unit and a bottom surface of the displayed unitare joined to each other, “top surface” and “bottom surface” arerespectively checked with respect to the selected unit and the displayedunit, and an OK button is clicked. Consequently, the two units (thedisplayed unit and the selected unit) in a state where the bottomsurface of the displayed unit is joined to the top surface of theselected unit are displayed in the assembled furniture display area B2in the assembling main window W5 (step 68). Generally when the two unitsare arranged on the upper and lower sides, a top surface and a bottomsurface are used for attachment surface designation. When the two unitsare arranged on the right and left sides, a left surface and a rightsurface are used for attachment surface designation.

In “alignment”, the position where the selected unit is attached to thedisplayed unit is designated. For example, in a case where the two unitsare arranged on the upper and lower sides, and the two units are viewedfrom the front, a left end of the displayed unit and a left end of theselected unit are aligned with each other (are at the same position),“left end” is checked, and the OK button is pressed. The two units (thedisplayed unit and the selected unit) which are aligned with each othersuch that their left surfaces are flush with each other are displayed inthe assembled furniture display area B2. Generally when the two unitsare arranged on the upper and lower sides, they are aligned with eachother on the right and left sides. When the two units are arranged onthe right and left sides, they are aligned with each other with respectto their heights.

When “integrally join” is checked, and the OK button is clicked, thereoccurs a state where the attachment surfaces are composed of one board(one of the attachment surfaces is erased, and a board perpendicular tothe attachment surface is a continuous board). For example, the bottomsurface of the displayed unit and the top surface of the selected unitare designated as attachment surfaces, “integrally join” is checked, andthe OK button is clicked. In the assembled furniture display area B2, aboard on the top surface (a top board) of the selected unit is erased,and respective side boards of the displayed unit and the selected unitare displayed as continuous side boards, and are displayed like one unit(step 68).

“Offset size” is inputted when there is a drawer inside a unit, and adoor leaf is attached to a front surface of the unit, for example. Whenthe door leaf is attached to the front surface of the unit using a hinge(when the hinge is provided inside the unit), a predetermined space (aspace provided to prevent the drawer accommodated in the door leaf fromnot being drawn out toward its front surface by getting caught on thehinge) is required in order to make it possible to draw out the drawertoward the front surface. Data representing the space is an offset size.

FIG. 50 is a broken perspective view showing a part of an example offurniture having an offset size.

In order to ensure an offset and provide drawers in a unit, inner sideboards are provided for attaching a parting board receiving each of thedrawers (the inner side board need not be positioned as a part, but mayappear on a design drawing finally obtained). Examples of the offsetinclude an offset in the horizontal direction representing a gap betweenan outer surface of the inner side board and an inner surface of a sideboard of the unit, an offset in the depth direction representing a gapbetween a front end surface of the inner side board (or a front surfaceof the drawer) and a front surface of the unit, and an offset in thevertical direction representing a gap between an upper end surface ofthe top drawer and a bottom surface of a top board of the unit.

Although in the above-mentioned example, the OK button is pressed foreach item, the OK button may be clicked after “attachment surfacedesignation”, “alignment”, “integrally join”, and “offset size” areinputted. When the OK button is clicked, the arrangement designationwindow W7 disappears. In a state where two or more units are displayedin the assembled furniture display area B2 in the assembling main windowW5 shown in FIG. 42, even if any of the units is then selected by beingclicked, and the “arrangement designate” button is then clicked, thearrangement designation window W7 appears on the display screen.

FIG. 44 (B) illustrates one unit obtained by integrally joining a topboard of a unit 210 and a top board of a unit 260. A cell in the unit260 is denoted by reference numeral 250.

In the unit number table (FIG. 15), the unit arrangement table (FIG.16), and the parting (cell) information table (FIG. 17), a branch number(−02) in the unit number is adopted and is stored in the column “unitnumber”.

“001” and “unit 1” are respectively stored in the column “unit/partdefinition number” and the column “unit/part definition name” related tothe unit number “−02” of the unit number table (FIG. 15) by referring tothe unit/part definition table (FIG. 18). Further, “1” is set as aninitial value in the column “the number of cells” related to the unitnumber “−02” of the unit number table (FIG. 15).

Data are also respectively stored in the columns such as the column“overall size” and the column “size of portion 1 (top board)” related tothe unit number “−02” of the unit arrangement table (FIG. 16) byreferring to the unit/part definition table (FIG. 18). A cell ID “00” ofthe cell 250 is determined and is stored in the column “cell ID”.

The three-dimensional coordinates of a point in the lower left frontcorner of the unit 260 are calculated on the basis of the point in thelower left front corner (the origin) of the unit 210. The calculatedthree-dimensional coordinates are stored in the column “reference point”related to the unit number “−02” of the unit arrangement table (FIG.16). Further, in the unit arrangement table (FIG. 16), data indicating“a unit having a branch number −02 is integrally joined to a bottomsurface” is stored in the column “arrangement information” related tothe unit 210 on the upper side (a branch number “−01”), and dataindicating “a unit having a branch number −01 is integrally joined to atop surface” is stored in the column “arrangement information” relatedto the unit 260 (a branch number “−02”).

In the parting (cell) information table (FIG. 17), the cell ID “00” ofthe cell 250 is stored in the column “cell ID”. The coordinates of apoint in the lower left front corner of the cell 250 are stored in thecolumn “reference point”. The width, the depth, and the height (cW, cD,and cH) of the cell which are previously calculated with respect to thecell 250 and are temporarily stored in the memory 18 are stored in thecolumn “size.

By providing a parting board in a cell formed by a unit, the cell can bedivided into a plurality of smaller cells.

In a state where the unit shown in FIG. 44 (B) is displayed in theassembled furniture display area B2, the cell 200 is selected by beingclicked using the mouse 13, an image (not shown) representing a partingboard is then selected by being clicked in the unit/part display areaB1, and the “parting define” button is pressed (step 70 in FIG. 28). Asshown in FIG. 48, a parting board definition window W6 is displayed onthe display screen (step 81 in FIG. 29) (here, a fixed type partingboard shall be selected).

The parting board definition window W6 (FIG. 48) includes three numericvalue input boxes W6 a, W6 b, and W6 c for inputting “the number ofdivisions by longitudinal parting boards”, “the number of divisions bylateral parting boards”, and “size designation after division”.

To the numeric value input box W6 a for inputting “the number ofdivisions by longitudinal parting boards”, a number indicating how manyspaces (cells) should be formed in a selected cell by parting boardsprovided in the longitudinal direction is inputted.

To the numeric value input box W6 b for inputting “the number ofdivisions by lateral parting boards”, a number indicating how manyspaces (cells) should be formed in a selected cell by parting boardsprovided in the lateral direction is inputted.

When a numeric value is inputted into “the number of divisions bylongitudinal parting boards” or “the number of divisions by lateralparting boards” (step 82), and an “OK” button is clicked (OK in step83), a unit having parting boards provided therein so as to includecells whose number is equal to the inputted number is displayed in theassembled furniture display area B2 (step 84). When the OK button ispressed, the parting board definition window W6 disappears.

In the parting board definition window W6 which appears when the cell200 is selected, and the “parting define” button is then clicked, ascreen displayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 when “3” isinputted into “the number of divisions by lateral parting boards” isillustrated in FIG. 44 (C). Three cells 201, 202, and 203 are formed.The cell 200 is a “parent cell”, and the cells 201, 202, and 203 arechild cells in the parent cell 200. Since “size designation afterdivision” is not inputted, the parent cell is divided into three cellsof an equal height (the size designation after division will bedescribed later).

“1” stored as an initial value in the column “the number of cells”related to the unit number “−01” of the unit number table (FIG. 15) isupdated to “4”.

“2” representing the number of parts (here, parting boards) attached tothe unit having the unit number “−01” is stored in the column “thenumber of parts” related to the unit number “−01” of the unitarrangement table (FIG. 16).

In the parting board (cell) information table (FIG. 17), numbers “01”,“02”, and “03” for specifying the cells 201, 202, and 203 are adoptedand are respectively stored in the column “cell ID”. Thethree-dimensional coordinates of a point in the lower left front cornerof each of the cells 201, 202, and 203 are calculated and are stored inthe column “reference point” on the basis of the point in the lower leftfront corner (the origin) of the unit 210. The width, the depth, and theheight of each of the cells 201, 202, and 203 are calculated and arestored in the column “size”. “2” indicating that two parting boards areattached in the transverse direction to the cell 200 is stored in thecolumn “the number of lateral parting boards” related to the cell 200(the cell ID “0”). “00” is stored in the column “parent cell ID” relatedto each of the cell IDs “01, “02, and “03”. A number representing thearrangement order in the longitudinal direction of the cell IDs “01”,“02”, and “03” in the parent cell (the cell ID “00” (how many cells arethere from the bottom) is stored in the column “longitudinal position inparent cell”. “1” indicating that the division is the first division isstored in the column “division level” related to each of the cell IDs“01”, “02, and “03”.

Data related to each of two parting boards newly provided is added tothe parting board arrangement table (FIG. 23). Part numbers arerespectively adopted with respect to the two parting boards and arestored in the column “part number”. Further, a branch number “−01” in aunit number for specifying a unit to which the parting board isattached, a cell ID “00” for specifying a cell to which the partingboard is attached, and data related to the parting-board attached in thecell 200 are respectively stored in the column “unit number”, the column“cell ID”, and the columns “unit/part definition number”, “unit/partdefinition name”, “finishing color”, “material”, and “fixed/movable” byreferring to the unit/part definition table (FIG. 18). Thethree-dimensional coordinates of a point in the lower left front cornerof the parting board are stored in the column “reference point”. Thelength in the width direction and the length in the depth direction ofthe parting board are calculated and are stored in the column “size”,and the thickness of the parting board is stored therein. The thicknessof the parting board is determined by the furniture design supportprogram on the basis of the size of the unit. Of course, it may be afixed value (a thickness previously defined) or a designated value.

With respect to any one or two of the cells 201, 202, and 203, it isalso possible to further provide a lateral parting board or alongitudinal parting board. FIG. 44 (D) illustrates, in the partingboard definition window W6 (FIG. 48) which appears when the cell 203 isselected, and the “parting define” button is then clicked, an imagedisplayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 when “3” isinputted into “the number of divisions by longitudinal parting boards”.The cell 203 is divided by being partitioned by two longitudinal partingboards, so that cells 205, 206, and 207 are formed. The cells 205, 206,and 207 are child cells in the parent cell 203. The respective widths ofthe cells 205, 206, and 207 are equal.

“4” stored in the column “the number of cells” related to the unitnumber “−01” of the unit number table (FIG. 15) is updated to “7”.

A number representing the number of parts attached to a unit having theunit number “−01” is updated to “4” in the column “the number of parts”related to the unit number “−01” of the unit arrangement table (FIG.16).

Cell IDs “04”, “05”, and “06” for respectively specifying the cells 205,206, and 207 are adopted and are respectively stored in the column “cellID” of the parting (cell) information table (FIG. 17). Thethree-dimensional coordinates of a point in the lower left front cornerof each of the cells 205, 206, and 207 are calculated and are stored inthe column “reference point”. The width, the depth, and the height ofeach of the cells 205, 206, and 207 are calculated and are stored in thecolumn “size”. In the column “the number of longitudinal parting boards”related to the cell 203 (the cell ID “03”), “2” indicating that twoparting boards are attached in the longitudinal direction to the cell203. “03” is stored in “parent cell ID” related to the cell IDs “04”,“05”, and “06”. Numbers representing the arrangement orders in thelateral direction of the cell IDs “04”, “05”, and “06” in the parentcell (the cell ID “03”) (how many cells are there from the left) arestored in the column “longitudinal position in parent cell”. “2”indicating that the second division is made is stored in the column“division level” related to each of the cell IDs “04”, “05”, and “06”.

Data-related to each of two parting boards newly provided is stored inthe parting board arrangement table (FIG. 23). Part numbers arerespectively adopted with respect to the two parting boards and arestored in the column “part number”. A branch number “−01” in a unitnumber for specifying a unit to which the parting board is attached, acell ID “00” for specifying a cell to which the parting board isattached, and data related to the parting board attached in the cell 203are respectively stored in the column “unit number”, the column “cellID”, and the columns “unit/part definition number”, “unit/partdefinition name”, “finishing color”, “material”, and “fixed/movable” byreferring to the unit/part definition table (FIG. 18). Thethree-dimensional coordinates of a point in the lower left front cornerof the parting board are stored in the column “reference point”. Thelength in the depth direction and the length in the height direction ofthe parting board are calculated and are stored in the column “size”,and the thickness of the parting board is stored therein.

In the parting board definition window W6 (FIG. 48) which appears whenany one of cells (child cells) formed by inputting a numeric value tothe number of divisions by longitudinal parting boards or the number ofdivisions by lateral parting boards is selected, and the “partingdefine” button is then clicked, the width or the height (which may beboth the width and the height) of the cell is inputted into the numericvalue input box W6 c for inputting “size designation after division”.Consequently, the width and the height of the selected cell are changedinto the width and the height inputted into the numeric value input boxW6 b for inputting “size designation after division”, and are displayedin the assembled furniture display area B2 (the illustration of displayafter the size change is omitted).

When the width or the height of a cell is changed, data in the column“reference point” related to the cell the width or the height of whichhas been changed is updated to a reference point (the three-dimensionalcoordinates of a point in the lower left front corner) of the cell afterthe size change which is displayed in the assembled furniture displayarea B2, and data in the column “size” is changed into data representingthe changed width, depth, and height of the cell in the parting (cell)information table (FIG. 17).

Furthermore, the width or the height of a cell adjacent to the cell thewidth or the height of which has been changed is automatically changed.For example, when size change is made such that the height of the cell201 is increased, the height of the cell 202 adjacent to the cell 201 isreduced by an increased amount of the height of the cell 201. When sizechange is made such that the height of the cell 202 is increased, eachof the height of the cell 201 adjacent to the cell 202 and the heightsof the cells 205, 206, and 207 is reduced by a height (a length in thevertical direction) obtained by dividing the increased amount into twoequal parts. Data in the column “reference point” related to theadjacent cell and the data in the column “size” are also changed intodata respectively representing the reference point of the cell whosesize has been changed and the size. Further, when the width or theheight of the cell is changed, the arrangement position of a partingboard is also changed. Accordingly, data in the column “reference point”of the parting board arrangement table (FIG. 23) is also updated to datarepresenting the arrangement position of the parting board after thechange.

FIG. 45 (A) illustrates a state where an overset type drawer isaccommodated in each of the cells 201, 202, 205, 206, and 207. Thedrawer is assembled in the following manner.

An image representing “drawer 1” in the unit/part display area B1 in theassembling main window W5 (FIGS. 42 and 43) is selected (step 69 in FIG.28), the range of a rectangular area including the cells 201, 202, 205,206, and 207 in the assembled furniture display area B2 is designatedusing the mouse 13, and the “selection load” button is clicked (step63). Consequently, an arrangement designation window W8 is displayed, asshown in FIG. 49 (step 66).

The arrangement designation window W8 is for specifying, in a case wherethe selected part is a part which is identified as an inset type or anoverset type, for example, “drawer” or a case where it is a part whoseattachment position can be determined, which of “inset” and “overset”should be selected.

When “overset” is selected, and an OK button is clicked (step 67), animage representing an overset type drawer accommodated in each of thecells 201, 202, 205, 206, and 207 is displayed in the assembledfurniture display area B2 (step 68, FIG. 45 (A)).

In the column “the number of parts” related to the unit number “−01” ofthe unit arrangement table (FIG. 16), a number representing the numberof parts which are attached to the unit having the unit number “−01” isupdated to “9”.

In the parting board (cell) information table (FIG. 17), “drawer 1” isstored in the column “arranged part definition name” related to each ofthe cell 201 (the cell ID “01”), the cell 202 (the cell ID “02”), thecell 205 (the cell ID “04”), the cell 206 (the cell ID “05”), and thecell 207 (the cell ID “06”)

In the drawer arrangement table (FIG. 19), data related to each of fivedrawers newly provided is added. Part numbers are respectively adoptedwith respect to the five drawers, and are stored in the column “partnumber”. Further, a branch number “−01” in a unit number for specifyinga unit to which the drawers are attached, a cell ID for specifying acell to which the drawer is attached, and data related to the drawer(drawer 1) are respectively stored in the column “unit number”, thecolumn “cell ID”, and the columns “unit/part definition number”,“unit/part definition name”, “finishing color (front panel)”, “material(front panel)”, “finishing color (other than front panel)”, and“material (other than front panel)” by referring to the unit/partdefinition table (FIG. 18). The three-dimensional coordinates of a pointin the lower left front corner of the drawer are stored in the column“reference point”. The width, the depth, and the height of the drawerare respectively stored in the column “size”. The respective sizes ofthe two drawers provided in the cells 201 and 202 are approximatelyequal to each other, and the respective sizes of the three drawersprovided in the cells 205, 206, and 207 are approximately equal to eachother. Data indicating that a designated setting method is an oversettype is stored in the column “setting method”.

Of course, one of the cells can be also selected one by one, to providethe drawer for the cell.

In the assembled furniture display window W5, the door pull 1 isselected from the unit/part display area B1 (step 69 in FIG. 28), andthe range of a rectangular area (a range in which the drawers areaccommodated) including the cells 201, 202, 205, 206, and 207 isdesignated using the mouse 13 in the assembled furniture display areaB2. Thereafter, even when the “selection load” button is clicked (step63), the arrangement designation window W8 (FIG. 49) is also displayed(step 66). The displayed arrangement designation window W8 is fordesignating the arrangement position with respect to the door pull. Inwhich position the selected part is arranged in a portion selected bythe designation of the range (any of “standard”, “upper end”, “lowerend”, or “center” in each of the height direction and the horizontaldirection) is determined, and the position is inputted.

When the OK button is clicked, assuming that the attachment position is“center” with respect to “height” and “center” with respect to “right orleft” (step 67), an image in a case where a door pull is attached nearthe center of each of the five drawers is displayed in the assembledfurniture display area B2, as shown in FIG. 45 (B) (step 68).

A number representing the number of parts attached to the unit havingthe unit number “−01” is updated to “14” in the column “the number ofparts” related to the unit number “−01” of the unit arrangement table(FIG. 16).

“1” representing the number of parts (door pulls) respectively attachedto the drawers is stored in the column “the number of parts” of thedrawer arrangement table (FIG. 19).

Data related to each of the five door pulls newly provided is added tothe door pull arrangement table (FIG. 21). A part number is adopted foreach of the five door pulls, and is stored in the column “part number”.A branch number “−01” in a unit number for specifying a unit to whichthe door pulls are attached, the part number of the part (the drawer) towhich the door pull is attached, a cell ID for specifying a cell towhich the door pull is attached, and data related to the door pull (doorpull 1) are respectively stored in the column “unit number”, the column“parent part number”, the column “cell ID”, and the columns “unit/partdefinition number”, “unit/part definition name”, “finishing color”, and“material” by referring to the unit/part definition table (FIG. 18).Data indicating that the door pull is arranged at the center of thedrawer and the three-dimensional coordinates of a point in the lowerleft front corner of the door pull are respectively stored in the column“arrangement information” and the column “reference point”. The width,the depth, and the height of the door pull are respectively stored inthe column “size”.

FIG. 45 (C) illustrates a state where three lateral parting boards areprovided in the cell 250 in the lower unit 260, and the cell 250 isdivided into four cells 251, 252, 253, and 254. FIG. 45 (D) illustratesa state where inset type drawers are respectively accommodated in thefour cells 251, 252, 253, and 254, and a door pull is attached to eachof the drawers. Processing for displaying an image illustrated in FIG.45 (C) in the assembled furniture display area B2 is the same as theabove-mentioned processing for displaying the image illustrated in FIG.44 (C) in the assembled furniture display area B2. Processing forassembling an image illustrated in FIG. 45 (D) in the assembledfurniture display area B2 is the same as the processing for displayingthe images illustrated in FIGS. 45 (A) and 45 (B) in the assembledfurniture display area B2. When the inset type drawer is assembled, anattaching method may be set to “inset” in an arrangement designationwindow W8 (FIG. 49).

An image in a state where a door leaf is attached to a portion of thecell 250 in the lower unit 260, door pulls are attached to the doorleaf, and casters are attached to a bottom surface of the unit 260 isshown in FIG. 46. An image representing “door leaf 1” in the unit/partdisplay area B1 in the assembling main window W5 is selected (step 69),the range of a rectangular area including the cell 250 is thendesignated in the assembled furniture display area B2, and the“selection load” button is clicked (step 63). When “overset” is selectedin the arrangement designation window W8 (step 67), an image in a statewhere a door leaf is attached by an overset attaching method isdisplayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 (step 68). Further,“door pull 1” is selected from the unit/part display area B1 (step 69),and the range of a rectangular area including the cell 250 (a range inwhich the door leaf is attached) is designated in the assembledfurniture display area B2. Thereafter, the attachment position is set to“standard” with respect to “height” and is set to “standard” withrespect to “right or left” in the arrangement designation window W8displayed when the “selection load” button is clicked (step 67). Animage in a state where a door pull is attached to a portion in thevicinity of an opening or closing portion of a door leaf and near thecenter in the height direction of the door leaf is displayed in theassembled furniture display area B2 (step 68). An image (not shown)representing “caster” in the unit/part display area B1 in the assemblingmain window W5 is selected (step 69), the unit 260 is then selected inthe assembled furniture display area B2, and the “selection load” buttonis clicked (step 63). In the arrangement designation window W8, when“standard” and “standard” are respectively selected with respect to“height” and “right or left” (step 67), an image in a state wherecasters are respectively attached to the four corners of a bottomsurface of the unit 260 is displayed in the assembled furniture displayarea B2 (step 68).

Data are successively stored in the unit number table (FIG. 15), theunit arrangement table (FIG. 16), the parting (cell) information table(FIG. 17), the drawer arrangement table (FIG. 19), and the door pullarrangement table (FIG. 21) as the parting board, the drawer, and thedoor pull are provided in the unit 260 (the cell 250), as in theabove-mentioned case where the parting board, the drawer, and the doorpull are attached to the unit 210 (the cell 200).

In the door leaf arrangement table (FIG. 20), data related to a doorleaf attached to the cell 250 in the unit 260 is stored. A part numberfor the door leaf is adopted and is stored in the column “part number”.A branch number “−02” in a unit number for specifying a unit to whichthe door leaf is attached, a cell ID “00” for specifying the cell 250 towhich the door leaf is attached, and data related to the door leaf (doorleaf 1) are respectively stored in the column “unit number”, the column“cell ID”, and the columns “unit/part definition number”, “unit/partdefinition name”, “finishing color”, and “material” by referring to theunit/part definition-table (FIG. 18). The three-dimensional coordinatesof a point in the lower left front corner of the door leaf are stored inthe column “reference point”. The width, the depth, and the height ofthe door leaf are stored in the column “size”. Data indicating that aninset type door leaf is attached and the number of parts (door pulls)attached to the door leaf are respectively stored in the column “settingmethod” and the column “the number of parts”.

In the leg arrangement table (FIG. 22), data related to a leg (a caster)attached to a bottom surface of the unit 260 is stored. A part numberfor the caster is adopted and is stored in the column “part number”. Abranch number “−02” in a unit number for specifying a unit to which thecaster is attached, and data related to the caster are respectivelystored in the column “unit number” and the columns “unit/part definitionnumber”, “unit/part definition name”, and “finishing color” by referringto the unit/part definition table (FIG. 18). The three-dimensionalcoordinates of the center of a joint portion between the leg positionedat the left front of the unit and the bottom surface of the unit arestored in the column “reference point”. The width, the depth, and theheight of the caster are respectively stored in the column “size”.

As an image displayed in the assembled furniture display area B2 in theassembled furniture display window W5 is thus successively changed, data(furniture design data) stored in various types of tables stored in theHD are successively updated.

When the “color tone change” button is clicked in the assembledfurniture display window W5′ (step 72), a color tone change window isdisplayed (step 91 in FIG. 30) (the color tone change window is notillustrated). In the color tone change window, the finishing color(painting color) (including a pattern) and the kind of wood or the like(including grain) of a unit or a part displayed in the assembledfurniture display area B2 can be changed. A portion (a top board, abaseplate, a left side board, or a right side board) of a unit thefinishing color or the kind of wood or the like of which is desired tobe changed or apart (or a portion thereof) is clicked and is designatedin the assembled furniture display area B2, the color and the kind ofwood which will be changed are then designated (step 92), and an OKbutton is clicked (“OK” in step 93). The unit or the part having thedesignated color or wood or the like is displayed in the assembledfurniture display area B2, and the furniture design data 25 is changed(step 94).

When the finishing color of the top board of the unit having the unitnumber “−01” is changed, for example, data in the column “finishingcolor” related to a portion 1 (a top board) of the unit arrangementtable (FIG. 16) is updated to data representing the changed finishingcolor.

When the kind of wood composing the unit is changed, the thickness of aboard composing the unit will be calculated again. The thickness of theboard depending on the changed kind of wood is determined again (seeFIG. 27).

When the “furniture store” button is clocked in the assembled furnituredisplay window W5 (step 73), the furniture displayed in the assembledfurniture display area B2 is reduced in size and is displayed in thecompleted furniture display area B3, as shown in FIG. 51 (step 74).

A number (“1113”) is adopted with respect to the furniture displayed inthe assembled furniture display area B2 and is stored in the column“furniture number” of the completed furniture table (FIG. 14). Thefurniture number is also stored in the column “unit number” of the unitarrangement table (FIG. 16), the parting board (cell) information table(FIG. 17), or the like.

In the assembling main window W5, the parting board definition (step70), the arrangement designation (step 71), the color tone change (step72), and the furniture storage (step 73) may be performed in any order.For example, after the color of the top board of the unit is changed bythe color tone change (step 72), the parting board definition (step 70)can be also performed. Alternatively, after furniture design data isstored by the furniture storage (step 73), the color tone change (step72) can be also performed.

When the parting board definition, the arrangement designation, or thecolor tone change is performed after the furniture storage (step 73),completed furniture before and completed furniture after the partingboard definition, the arrangement designation, or the color tone changeare respectively displayed in the completed furniture display area B3.

When the “end” button is clicked (step 75), the assembling processing isterminated. The main menu window W1 is displayed again on the displayscreen of the display device 11 (step 31).

The furniture design data is thus stored in various types of tableswhich are linked to each other, so that the rough design of furniturehaving a structure or the like desired by a customer is terminated.Thereafter, the rough design will be corrected, if required.

3.4 Drawing Display/Printing Processing

Drawing display/printing processing is for displaying the appearance orthe like of completed furniture on the display screen of the displaydevice on the basis of data stored in various types of data tables forthe HD in the assembling processing (step 34), or printing to output adesign drawing or the like of the completed furniture using the printer17.

FIGS. 31 to 36 are flow charts showing the procedure for the drawingdisplay/printing processing. Here, a display screen (a window) shown inFIGS. 52 to 59 is referred to.

When the “drawing display/print” button is clicked in the main menuwindow W1 (step 35), a completed furniture display window W11 isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 52 (step 101).

The completed furniture display window W11 (FIG. 52) includes acompleted furniture display area C1 and a completed furniture drawingdisplay area C2. Further, “furniture select”, “drawing select”, “sizechange”, “picture display”, “print”, and “end” buttons are providedtherein.

An image representing completed furniture assembled by theabove-mentioned assembling processing is displayed in the completedfurniture display area C1. When there are a plurality of pieces ofcompleted furniture assembled by the assembling processing, furnituredesign data respectively related to the plurality of pieces of completedfurniture are stored in each of the above-mentioned types of datatables. That is, when the furniture design data respectively related tothe plurality of pieces of completed furniture are stored in the datatable, images respectively representing the plurality of pieces ofcompleted furniture which are represented by the furniture design dataare displayed in the completed furniture display area C1. On the otherhand, in an initial state, nothing is displayed in the completedfurniture drawing display area C2.

The image representing the completed furniture on which a design drawingshould be printed is selected by being clicked out of the imagesrespectively representing the completed furniture which are displayed inthe completed furniture display area C1 (step 102), and the “furnitureselect” button is then clicked (step 103). A front view of the selectedcompleted furniture is displayed in the completed furniture drawingdisplay area C2 (step 104, FIG. 53).

When the “drawing select” button is clicked (step 106), a displaydrawing selection window W12 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 54 (step 111in FIG. 32).

The display drawing selection window W12 (FIG. 54) is used for choosingwhich of drawings (any one of “front view”, “plan view”, “rear view”,“side view”, “cell view”, and “detailed front view”), “member table”,“cutout view”, and “estimation sheet” should be displayed on thecompleted furniture display window W11.

With respect to any one of “front view”, “plan view”, “rear view”, “sideview”, “cell view”, and “detailed front view”, “member table”, “cutoutview”, and “estimation sheet”, a corresponding circular input box isclicked (step 112). The color of the checked circular input box ischanged.

When any one of “front view”, “plan view”, “rear view”, “side view”, and“cell view” is clicked, and an OK button is clicked (OK in step 113),the clicked drawing is displayed in the completed furniture drawingdisplay area C2 in the completed furniture display window W11 (step114).

The unit arrangement table (FIG. 16) stores, with respect to a unitincluded in completed furniture, positional information (a referencepoint (x, y, z)) related to the lower left front corner of the unit, andstores the size (uW, uD, uH) of the unit. A data table related to parts,for example, the parting (cell) information table (FIG. 17) or thedrawer arrangement table (FIG. 19) stores positional information (areference point) related to each of the parts, and stores datarepresenting the size of the part.

The furniture design support program performs rendering processing forgenerating three-dimensional drawing data (data representing thecoordinates of a vertex, a side, and a surface, and their mutualrelation) related to the completed furniture on the basis of datarepresenting “reference point” and data representing “size” which arestored in the above-mentioned data table related to the unit and theparts, to display a two-dimensional image on the display screen of thedisplay device 11. By the rendering processing, calculation is made asto in which form a three-dimensional object is seen in thetwo-dimensional image (coordinate transformation) on the basis of thethree-dimensional drawing data, and a line and a surface of a hiddenportion are then removed (hidden line removal and hidden surfaceremoval), so that image data representing the two-dimensional image isgenerated on the display screen of the display device 11.

When “front view” is selected (step 112), the furniture design supportprogram displays a front view of the completed furniture in thecompleted furniture drawing display area C2 (step 114). Similarly, when“plan view”, “rear view”, and “side view” are selected (step 112), thefurniture design support program displays a plan view, a rear view, anda right side view of the completed furniture in the completed furnituredrawing display area C2. The front view, the plan view, the rear view,and the side view of the completed furniture can be also displayed onthe basis of the furniture design data without performing the renderingprocessing (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

When “cell view” is selected (step 112), the furniture design supportprogram displays in the completed furniture drawing display area C2 afront view of the furniture in a state where parts excluding a partingboard, for example, a drawer and a door leaf are removed from thecompleted furniture.

When “detailed front view” is selected (step 112), the furniture designsupport program displays in the completed furniture drawing display areaC2 an image obtained by shading the front view (or a perspective view)of the completed furniture.

When “member table” is selected, the furniture design support programdisplays in the completed furniture drawing display area C2 a materialused for the completed furniture (the kind of wood used for a unit, thekind of wood used for a part, etc.).

When “cutout-view” is selected, the furniture design support programcalculates the size of wood required to manufacture a unit, a drawer,etc. constituting the completed furniture, and displays in the completedfurniture drawing display area C2 a cutout view for cutting out a topboard, a side board, etc. constituting the unit, the drawer, etc. fromone board (or a plurality of boards) efficiently (such that the board isnot uselessly left).

When “estimation sheet” is selected, the furniture design supportprogram calculates costs required to fabricate the completed furnitureon the basis of the kind, the structure, the size, the presence orabsence of painting (the finishing color) of wood, the costs of parts,etc. used for the completed furniture, and displays in the completedfurniture drawing display area C2 an estimation sheet in which thecalculated costs are described.

In order to calculate the costs of the unit and the parting board, datarepresenting unit cost per unit area for each material (kind of wood)stored in the basic information table (FIG. 10) (the illustration of thecost data is omitted in FIG. 10), data representing the size and thematerial of the unit included in the completed furniture which arestored in the unit arrangement table (FIG. 16), and data representingthe size and the material of the parting board which are stored in theparting board arrangement table (FIG. 23) are used. The area of a boardused for the unit and the parting board is calculated for each material,and the calculated area of the board made of the material is multiplexedby the unit cost per unit area for the material, so that the costs ofthe unit and the parting board are calculated.

The basic information table (FIG. 10) also stores data representing theunit cost of each of the parts such as the drawer, the door leaf, theleg, and the door pull (the illustration thereof is omitted in FIG. 10).The quantity of each of the parts used for the completed furniture ismultiplexed by the unit cost, so that the cost required for the part isestimated.

In the estimation sheet, necessary costs for the unit, the partingboard, and the parts which are calculated in such a manner are shown,and the necessary cost of the whole of the completed furniture (costwhich is the sum of the necessary costs of the unit and the parts) isshown.

When the “size change” button is clicked (step 107), a unit size changewindow W13 is displayed (step 121 in FIG. 33), as shown in FIG. 55. Theunit size change window W13 (FIG. 55) is a window for changing thewidth, the depth, and the height of the whole of completed furniture orthe width, the depth, and the height of a unit included in the completedfurniture.

The unit size change window W13 includes a completed furniture displayarea D1, a size change display area D2, and a changed size input areaD3.

In the size change display area D2 in the unit size change window W13, afront view of the completed furniture is displayed.

The changed size input area D3 includes a changed size input box.Further, the changed size input area D3 is provided with “redisplay”,“cell size change”, “cancel”, and “storage terminate” buttons.

When the completed furniture includes a plurality of units, the sizethereof can be changed for each of the units. An example in which theheight of the unit (a portion having a door leaf provided therein) inthe lower stage of the completed furniture which is displayed in thesize change display area D2 is changed will be described.

When the portion of the unit in the lower stage of the completedfurniture is clicked using the mouse 13 in the size change display areaD2, the width, the depth, and the height of the unit in the lower stageof the completed furniture are displayed in the changed size input box.

In the changed size input box, the changed size is inputted using thekeyboard 12 (step 122).

When the “redisplay” button is clicked (“redisplay” in step 123), afront view of the completed furniture whose size has been changed at aratio corresponding to numeric values inputted into the changed sizeinput box is displayed in the size change display area D2 (step 124,FIG. 56).

When the “storage terminate” button is clicked (“storage termination” instep 123), the completed furniture display window W11 is displayed inplace of the size change window W13. The completed furniture whose sizehas been changed is displayed in the completed furniture drawing displayarea C2 in the completed furniture display window W11 (step 125, notshown).

When the “cancel” button is clicked (“cancel” in step 123), thecompleted furniture whose size has not been changed is displayed in thecompleted furniture drawing display area C2 in the completed furnituredisplay window W11.

When the size of the completed furniture (or the unit) is changed, thesizes or the like of the parting board and the cell are changed as thesize of the completed furniture (unit) is changed. In an example inwhich the size of the furniture shown in FIG. 55 is changed to that offurniture shown in FIG. 56, data in the column “overall size” and thecolumns “size of portion 3 (left side board)” and “size of portion 4(right side board)” of the unit arrangement table (FIG. 16) are changedas the size of the completed furniture is changed. Data in the column“size” and the column “reference point” of the parting (cell)information table (FIG. 17) are also changed. Data in the column“reference point” related to the parting board is changed in the partingboard arrangement table (FIG. 23). Of course, in the leg arrangementtable (FIG. 22), the drawer arrangement table (FIG. 19), the door leafarrangement table (FIG. 20), and the door pull arrangement table (FIG.21), the data in the columns “reference point” and “size” are changed soas to correspond to the completed furniture whose size has been changed.

When the size of the completed furniture (or the unit) is changed, thethickness of a board composing the unit may be calculated again. Thethickness of the board which corresponds to the changed size of the unitis determined.

When the “cell size change” button is clicked in the unit size changewindow W13 (FIGS. 55 and 56) (step 126), a cell size change window W14(FIG. 57) is displayed on the display screen of the display device 11(step 131 in FIG. 34). The cell size change window W14 (FIG. 57)includes a cell size change display area E2 and a changed cell sizeinput area E3.

An image representing furniture in a state where only units and partingboards are drawn (excluding drawers, a door leaf, etc.) is displayed inthe cell size change display area E2.

When any of the cells is selected by being clicked in the cell sizechange display area E2, numeric values representing the width and theheight of the selected cell are displayed in a numeric value input boxin the changed cell size input area E3. The changed width or height ofthe cell is inputted into the numeric value input box so as to rewritethe numeric values displayed in the numeric value input box (step 132).When a “redisplay” button is clicked (“redisplay” in step 133), thewidth or the height of the selected cell is changed into the inputtedwidth or height, and is displayed in the cell size change display areaE2 (step 134).

When the “storage terminate” button is clicked (“storage termination” instep 133), the completed furniture display window W11 is displayed inplace of the cell size change window W14. The completed furniture havingthe cell whose size has been changed is displayed in the completedfurniture drawing display area C2 (step 135).

When the width or the height of the cell is changed, data in the column“reference point” related to the cell the width or the height of whichhas been changed is updated to a reference point related to the cellwhose size has been changed (the three-dimensional coordinates of apoint in the lower left front corner) which is displayed in theassembled furniture display area B2, and data in the column “size” ischanged into data representing the changed width, depth, and height ofthe cell. Further, the width or the height of the cell adjacent to thecell the width or the height of which has been changed is also changed.Accordingly, data in the column “reference point” and data in the column“size” which are related to the adjacent cell are also changed into datarepresenting the reference point and the size of the cell whose size hasbeen changed. Further, when the width or the height of the cell ischanged, the arrangement position of the parting board or the like isalso changed. Accordingly, data in the column “reference point” of theparting board arrangement table (FIG. 23) or the like is also updated todata representing the changed arrangement position of the parting boardor the like.

When the “picture display” button is clicked in the completed furnituredisplay window W11 (FIG. 52) (step 105), a picture display window W15 isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 58 (step 141 in FIG. 35).

The picture display window W15 (FIG. 58) includes a completed furnituredisplay area F1, an enlarged picture display area F2, and a picturedisplay area F3. The enlarged picture display area F2 includes a“select” button and an “end” button. The same area as the completedfurniture display area C1 in the completed furniture display window W11(FIG. 52) is displayed in the completed furniture display area F1.

Picture image data representing the appearance of the actual furnitureis previously stored in the HD in the HD unit 16 for the furnituredesign support system. Picture images respectively representing piecesof furniture which are represented by the picture image data stored inthe HD are displayed in the picture display area F3.

Any of the picture images respectively representing the pieces offurniture which are displayed in the picture display area F3 is clicked(step 142), and the “select” button in the enlarged picture display areaF2 is then clicked (“selection” in step 143). The selected picture imagerepresenting the furniture is displayed in enlarged fashion in theenlarged picture display area F2 (step 144).

When the “end” button in the enlarged picture display area F2 is clicked(“termination” in step 143), the completed furniture display window W11is displayed in place of the picture display window W14.

When the “print” button is clicked in the completed furniture displaywindow W11 (FIG. 52) (step 109), a printing designation window W16 isdisplayed, as shown in FIG. 59 (step 151 in FIG. 36).

In the printing designation window W16 (FIG. 59), one or a plurality ofitems which will be printed out of five items, i.e., “drawing”,“detailed front view”, “member table”, “cutout view”, and “estimationsheet” are selected by being clicked (step 152), and a “print” button isthen clicked (“printing” in step 153). Consequently, the designated item(the drawing, etc.) is printed on paper or the like by the printer 17 tobe outputted (step 154).

When “drawing” is clicked, and the “print” button is clicked, forexample, a design drawing of completed furniture is outputted from theprinter 17 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

A “printer set” button is clicked when a printer which should output theitem is set (selected).

When a “cancel” button is clicked (“cancel” in step 153), the program isreturned to the selection of the item to be printed (step 152).

When the “end” button is clicked in the completed furniture displaywindow W11 (step 110), the drawing display/printing processing isterminated. The main menu window W1 is displayed in place of thecompleted furniture display window W11 (step 31).

4 Processing II in Furniture Design Support System (Centered on Window)

A window displayed on the display screen of the display device 11 in thefurniture design support system is not limited to those shown in FIGS.37 to 39, FIGS. 41 to 49, and FIGS. 51 to 59. Further, the flow such asthe design of furniture and the change in furniture design data (e.g.,size) is not limited to that in the above-mentioned example. FIGS. 60 to82 illustrate another example of the window displayed on the displayscreen of the display device 11. The flow charts (FIGS. 25 to 36)described in the above-mentioned processing I in the furniture designsupport system are suitably referred to, to describe another example ofprocessing in the furniture design support system.

FIG. 60 illustrates another example of a unit/part selection windowwhich appears on the display screen when the “unit/part define” buttonis clicked by an operator or a user in the main menu window W1 (FIG. 37)(corresponding to steps 32 and 33 in FIG. 25, and step 41 in FIG. 26).The unit/part selection window W21 comprises a unit/part display areaa1, and comprises “next” and “end” buttons.

Characters of “unit”, “drawer”, “door leaf”, “parting board/shelfboard”, “leg”, “door pull”, and “key” are displayed in the unit/partdisplay area a1. Any of character portions is clicked using the mouse13, so that either the unit or any of the parts (a drawer, a door leaf,a parting board/shelf board, a leg, a drawer, and a key) is selected(corresponding to step 42). With respect to the selected unit or part,the definitions of “size”, “material”, “material quality”, “painting”,etc. are given (generation of definition data; registration of data inthe unit/part definition table is performed).

An example of a window (a drawer definition window W22) which appears onthe display screen when “drawer” is clicked, and the “next” button isthen clicked (“next” in step 43) is illustrated in FIG. 61.

The drawer definition window W22 includes a type selection area a2, asize definition area a3, an attribute definition area a4, and a definedlist display area a5, and comprises “store”, “name change”, “delete”,and “end” buttons.

The types of drawers are displayed by a list in the type selection areaa2 on the basis of the data previously stored in the basic informationtable (FIG. 10). Here, data respectively representing drawers of threetypes, i.e., a standard type (standard), a framed type (framed), and atype with a frame and having a glass board fitted in the frame (withframed glass) are previously stored in the basic information table (FIG.10), and screen display is performed in accordance with the data.

With respect to the drawer of the type selected in the type selectionarea a2 (the color of characters is reversed), the board thickness of afront panel of the drawer, the board thickness of the main body of thedrawer (a box portion), and the arrangement position of a door pullattached to the front panel of the drawer are defined in the sizedefinition area a3.

In the attribute definition area a4, a material (oak, bog oak, mahogany,etc.), a material quality (solid board or veneer), and painting(urethane painting, natural color, amber color, etc.) which are used forthe front panel of the drawer and the main body of the drawer aredefined. The data which are previously stored in the basic informationtable (FIG. 10) are also used for definition data which can be selectedin the size definition area a3 and the attribute definition area a4.

When the “store” button is clicked after the type, the size, and theattribute of the drawer are determined, a new window for inputting aname is displayed with the window overlapped with the drawer definitionwindow W22 (not shown). The inputted name is newly added to the definedlist display area a5 (not shown).

The “name change” button is clicked when the name of the drawerdisplayed in the defined list display area a5 is changed. The “delete”button is clicked when defined data displayed in the defined listdisplay area a5 is deleted (step 54). The “end” button is clicked whenthe data definition is terminated. When the “end” button is clicked, thedefinition window W22 disappears from the display screen.

With respect to parts (a door leaf, a parting board/shelf board, a leg,a door pull, and a key) other than the drawer and units, which sizes,attributes, etc. are defined using the definition window W22 in the samemanner.

The processing using the above-mentioned definition window W22 does notcompletely coincide with the flow chart shown in FIG. 26 but is commonthereto in that a user of the furniture design support system definesdefinition data related to the units and the parts within the range ofthe data in the basic information table previously prepared (stores thedefinition data in the unit/part definition table).

FIG. 62 illustrates another example of the assembling main windowdisplayed when the “assemble” button is clicked (steps 32 and 34 in FIG.25) by an operator or a user in the main menu window W1 (FIG. 37) (step61 in FIG. 28).

An assembling main window W23 includes a unit/part display area b1, anassembled furniture display area b2, and a completed furniture displayarea b3, and comprises “unit/part load”, “cell define”, “size change”,“part delete”, “furniture store”, “furniture load”, “furniture delete”and “end” buttons. The unit/part type display area b1, the assembledfurniture display area b2, and the completed furniture display area b3may be respectively separate windows.

An upper part of the unit/part display area b1 includes a unit/part typedisplay box b4. When a triangular mark portion on the right side of thedisplay box b4 is clicked, the types of units or parts are displayed bya list (see FIG. 68).

When “unit” is displayed in the display box b4, an image representingthe outline of the appearance (front) of the unit, together with thename of the unit, is displayed in the unit/part display area b1 (belowthe display box b4).

A manner of combination of the units and the parts is displayed in theassembled furniture display area b2. Further, a reference point(coordinates) for representing a reference for the width or the heightof the furniture (units and parts) is displayed therein.

The name of completed furniture (or a portion thereof) and an imagerepresenting the completed furniture are displayed in the completedfurniture display area b3.

For example, a top board and base board (baseplate) 1 type unit isselected by being clicked in the unit/part display area b1 (step 62 inFIG. 28). Thereafter, when the “unit/part load” button is clicked (step63), the lower left front vertex of the top board and base board 1 typeunit is overlapped with the origin (0, 0), and is displayed in theassembled furniture display area b2), as shown in FIG. 63 (NO in step64, and step 65 in FIG. 28). The width, the height, and the depth of thetop board and base board 1 type unit are indicted by numeric values in alower part of the unit/part display area b1.

The size of a unit or a cell can be changed within the assemblingprocessing.

When the size of the unit or the cell is changed, the “size change”button is clicked. When the “size change” button is clicked, a sizechange window W24 is displayed with the window overlapped with theassembling main window W23, as shown in FIG. 64.

A field W24 a for displaying the width, the height, and the depth of theunit displayed in the assembled furniture display area b2 in theassembling main window W23 and a “change and end” button are provided inan upper part of the size change window W24.

When the size of the unit is changed, numerical values displayed in thefield W24 a for displaying the width, the height, and the depth arerewritten using the keyboard 12, and the “change and end” button isthereafter clicked (see FIG. 33). Consequently, the unit having the sizewhose numeric values have been changed is thereafter displayed in theassembled furniture display area b2 in the assembling main window W23,as shown in FIG. 65. The size change window W24 disappears.

When the size of the cell in the unit is changed, the size change windowW24 is also used.

A lower part of the size change window W24 (FIG. 64) is provided with afield for displaying the cell number of a cell selected in the assembledfurniture display area b2, the number of cells included in the unit, andthe size of the selected cell, a field W24 b for inputting the changedsize (new size), a field for determining the movement direction of thecell whose size is to be changed, and a field for determining the effecton the adjacent cell. Further, “reset”, “change”, “terminate”, and“cancel” buttons are provided therein.

The cell whose size will be changed is selected using the mouse 13 inthe assembled furniture display area b2. The width or the height of thenew cell is inputted into the field W24 b for inputting “new size”. Inthe field for determining “movement direction”, it is chosen whether thecell whose size is to be changed is widened (narrowed) upward(rightward) or widened (narrowed) downward (leftward). In the field fordetermining “effect on movement direction”, it is chosen, with respectto the cells other than the cell whose size has been changed, whetheronly the cell adjacent to the cell whose size is to be changed isaffected (only the adjacent cell is changed) or the sizes of all thecells included in the unit are changed at an equal ratio (all the cellsare changed at an equal ratio) (see FIG. 34 with respect to the changein the size of the cell).

When the “change” button is clicked, the unit including the cell whosesize has been changed is displayed in the assembled furniture displayarea b2. The “reset” button, the “end” button, and the “cancel” buttonare respectively clicked in a case where the display screen is returnedto the state before the change, a case where the cell size changeprocessing is terminated, and a case where the size change processing iscanceled.

In the assembling main window W23, the “cell define” button is clickedwhen a longitudinal board or a lateral board is provided in the unitdisplayed in the assembled furniture display area b2.

It goes without saying that the size change window W24 may comprise thefunction of changing the sizes of parts other than the unit and thecell.

When the “cell define” button is clicked, a cell definition window W25is displayed with the window overlapped with the assembling main windowW23, as shown in FIG. 66.

The cell definition window W25 comprises a field (a defined area) W25 afor selecting the kind of parting board (shelf board) (made of wood orglass) used as a longitudinal board or a lateral board and a field W25 bfor inputting the number of boards, and comprises “all clear”, “clear”,“OK”, and “cancel” buttons.

When seven lateral boards made of wood are provided in the unitdisplayed in the assembled furniture display area b2 shown in FIG. 65,for example, “made of wood” is selected in the defined area W25 a, andthe number of lateral boards is seven in the field W25 b for displayingthe number of boards, as shown in FIG. 66. Thereafter, the “OK” buttonis clicked. Consequently, the unit provided with seven lateral boards isdisplayed in the assembled furniture display area b2 in the assemblingmain window W23, as shown in FIG. 67. The unit includes eight cells ofan equal size. The cell definition window W25 disappears from thedisplay screen (“cell definition” processing corresponds to “partingdefinition” processing in the step 70 (FIG. 29) shown in FIG. 28).

The “all clear” button, the “clear” button, and the “cancel” button arerespectively clicked in a case where all longitudinal boards or lateralboards which are provided in the unit are erased, a case where whenprocessing for providing longitudinal boards or lateral boards isperformed a plurality of times, the longitudinal board or the lateralboard which is last provided is erased, and a case where the celldefinition processing is canceled.

When a part is attached to the unit displayed in the assembled furnituredisplay area b2 in the assembling main window W23, the name of the partwhich will be attached is first displayed in the display box b4 on theupper side of the unit/part display area b1, as shown in FIG. 68.

When “leg” is selected as the part name (“leg” is displayed bycharacters in the display box b4), for example, a plurality of kinds oflegs are displayed in the unit/part display area b1, as shown in FIG. 69(based on the unit/part definition table (FIG. 18)). FIG. 70 illustratesthe assembling main window W23 in a case where “four-in-a-set squaredlegs with plinth” is selected by being clicked using the mouse 13, andthe “unit/part load” button is then clicked. Furniture in whichfour-in-a-set squared legs with plinth composed of four pillar-shapedlegs and a plinth are attached to a bottom surface of a unit isdisplayed in the assembled furniture display area b2 (the window fordesignating arrangement (steps 66 to 68 in FIG. 28; FIGS. 47 and 49) isnot necessarily displayed).

Furthermore, when a drawer which is one of parts is provided in each ofthe eight cells included in the unit, all the eight cells are selectedusing the mouse 13, and “drawer” is then displayed by characters in thedisplay box b4. Images respectively representing a plurality of kind ofdrawers are displayed in the unit/part display area b1. After thedesired kind of drawer is selected using the mouse 13, the “unit/partload” button is clicked. Consequently, a setting method selection windowW26 for specifying how the drawer is set is displayed with the windowoverlapped with the assembling main window W23 (FIG. 71) (which isanother example of the arrangement designation window W7 (W8)).

In the setting method selection window W26, any one of four settingmethods, i.e., {circle around (1)} “inset 1 (complete)” in which adrawer is accommodated such that a front panel of the drawer is almostflush with a front surface of a parting board provided in a cell,{circle around (2)} “inset 2 (only a parting board is hidden)” in whicha drawer is accommodated such that front surfaces of a top board, abaseplate, and side boards are almost flush with a front panel of thedrawer, and each of parting boards is not seen by the front panel of thedrawer by making the size in the depth direction of the parting boardslightly shorter, {circle around (3)} “overset 1 (complete)” in which adrawer is accommodated such that all a top board, a baseplate, sideboards, and each of parting boards are hidden by a front panel of thedrawer, and {circle around (4)} “overset 2 (boards other than a topboard and a baseplate are hidden)” in which a drawer is accommodatedsuch that side boards other than the top board and the baseplate andeach of parting boards are hidden by a front panel of the drawer isselected.

When any one of the setting methods is selected, and an “OK” button isclicked, furniture accommodating drawers by the setting method selectedusing the setting method selection window W26 is displayed in theassembled furniture display area b2, as shown in FIG. 72 (here, drawerswith glass are accommodated by “overset 2”) (corresponding to the steps66 to 68 in FIG. 28). The setting method selection window W26disappears.

When the “furniture store” button is clicked (step 73), a furniturestorage window W27 is displayed (FIG. 73). A name for specifyingfurniture is inputted into a field W27 a for displaying “name ofcompleted furniture” using the keyboard 12, and an “OK” button isclicked. As shown in FIG. 74, an image representing the furnituredisplayed in the assembled furniture display area b2 is reduced in sizeand is displayed in the completed furniture display area b3 (step 74).Further, the name inputted using the above-mentioned furniture storagewindow W27 is displayed on the reduced image.

In the assembling main window W23, the “part delete” button, the“furniture load” button, and the “furniture delete” button arerespectively clicked in a case where an assembled (attached) part isdeleted (removed) (deleted from the data table), a case where completedfurniture displayed in the completed furniture display area b3 isdisplayed in the assembled furniture display area b2, and a case wherecompleted furniture displayed in the completed furniture display area b3is deleted (deleted from the data table). When the “end” button isclicked, the assembling main window W23 disappears from the displayscreen (step 75 in FIG. 28).

FIG. 75 illustrates another example of the completed furniture displaywindow which appears on the display screen when the “drawingdisplay/print” button is clicked by an operator or a user in the mainmenu window W1 (FIG. 37) (steps 32 and 35 in FIG. 25, and step 101 inFIG. 31). A completed furniture display area c1 is positioned on theleft side of the completed furniture display window W31, and a completedfurniture drawing display area c2 is positioned on the right sidethereof.

“Furniture load”, “drawing display”, “render”, “size change”, “materialquality change”, “drawing print”, “furniture store”, and “end” buttonsare displayed on the lower side of the completed furniture displaywindow W31.

When any image of completed furniture is selected using the mouse 13 inthe completed furniture display area c1, and the “furniture load” buttonis then clicked (steps 102 and 103 in FIG. 31), a front view of theselected completed furniture, together with the size thereof, isdisplayed in the completed furniture drawing display area c2, as shownin FIG. 76 (step 104). A button for enlarging or reducing a drawingdisplayed in the completed furniture drawing display area c2 andredisplaying the drawing and a cross button for moving the drawing ofthe furniture displayed in the completed furniture drawing display areac2 in any of upward, downward, rightward and leftward directions anddisplaying the drawing are newly displayed on the right side of thecompleted furniture drawing display area c2.

When the “drawing display” button is clicked (corresponding to theprocessing (FIG. 32) for “drawing selection” (step 106) shown in FIG.31), a drawing selection window W32 is displayed with the windowoverlapped with the completed furniture display window W31, as shown inFIG. 77. In the drawing selection window W32, the variety of drawing (afront view, a plan view, etc), to be displayed in the completedfurniture drawing display area c2, for example, is selected.

When a cubic diagram, for example, is selected (step 112 in FIG. 32),and a “display” button on the lower side of the drawing selection windowW32 is clicked, completed furniture is displayed in a three-dimensionalmanner in the completed furniture drawing display area c2, as shown inFIG. 78 (step 114).

When the “render” button on the lower side of the completed furnituredisplay window W31 is clicked, a drawing which has been subjected torendering processing is displayed in the completed furniture drawingdisplay area c2, as shown in FIG. 79.

For the rendering processing, a CAD (Computer Aided Design) program(software) can be utilized. The CAD program may be located as a part ofthe furniture design support program, or may be a program separate fromthe furniture design support program.

The CAD program generates three-dimensional drawing data (datarepresenting the coordinates of a vertex, a side, and a surface andtheir mutual relation) related to completed furniture on the basis ofreference point data and size data which are stored in the data tablerelated to units and parts. Data and an instruction required to generateand output the three-dimensional drawing data related to the completedfurniture are handed to the CAD program from the furniture designsupport program (a 3D modeling instruction, a 3D drawing instruction,and a 3D printing instruction). The CAD program includes a function (amodeling function) required to generate the three-dimensional drawingdata, and performs calculation (coordinate transformation) as to inwhich form a three-dimensional object is seen in a two-dimensional imageon the basis of the data delivered from the furniture design supportprogram, to generate three-dimensional drawing data (modeling). Further,the CAD program includes a drawing function for removing a line and asurface of a portion which is hidden (hidden line removal and hiddensurface removal), and performing shading processing, ray-tracingprocessing, or the like, to do drawing on the display screen and aprinting function for doing printing. A two-dimensional image expressedin a three-dimensional manner can be displayed on the display screen ofthe display device 11, or can be outputted from the printer 17.

When the “drawing print” button on the lower side of the completedfurniture display window W31 is clicked, a printing drawing selectionwindow W33 appears, as shown in FIG. 80 (corresponding to step 109 inFIG. 31, and corresponding to FIG. 36). The printing drawing selectionwindow W33 includes characters “drawing”, “elevation view”, “membertable”, and “estimation sheet” and circular input boxes respectivelycorresponding thereto, and comprises a “display” button and a “cancel”button.

When “drawing” is selected in the printing drawing selection window W33,and the “display” button is then clicked, a front view, a side view, arear view, etc. of completed furniture, together with the size thereof,are displayed in the completed furniture drawing display area c2, asshown in FIG. 81. “Printer set”, “print”, “previous page”, and“subsequent page” buttons appear in an area c4 on the right side of thescreen. The “printer set” button, the “print” button, the “previouspage” button, and the “subsequent page” button are respectively clickedin a case where the setting of a printer displayed on the display screen(designation of a printer which should output prints in a case where theprints can be outputted to a plurality of printers), a case whereprinting is done, a case where the previous page is displayed when adrawing displayed on the display screen covers a plurality of pages, anda case where the subsequent page is displayed.

When “cubic diagram” is selected in the printing drawing selectionwindow W33 (FIG. 80), and the “display” button is clicked, a cubicdiagram is displayed in the completed furniture drawing display area c2(see FIG. 78). When “member table” is selected, and the “display” buttonis clicked, members (units and parts) used for the completed furnituredisplayed in the completed furniture drawing display area c2 aredisplayed by a list (not shown). When “estimation sheet” is selected,and the “display” button is clicked, “name”, “material”, “materialquality”, “painting”, “size”, “material unit cost”, “painting unitcost”, “quantity”, “total amount of money”, etc. of each of the unitsand the parts which are used for the completed furniture displayed inthe completed furniture drawing display area c2 are displayed by a list,as shown in FIG. 82. When the “print” button is clicked, any one of thedrawing, the elevation view, the member table, and the estimation sheetwhich are displayed in the completed furniture drawing display area c2is printed out from the printer 17 (step 154 in FIG. 36).

In the completed furniture display window W31, the “size change” buttonand the “material quality change” button are respectively clicked in acase where the size of the completed furniture or the size of the cellis changed (corresponding to step 107 in FIG. 31, step 126 in FIG. 33,and FIG. 34) and a case where the material quality (the material) of theunit or the part used for the completed furniture is changed. When datarepresenting the completed furniture the size or the material quality ofwhich has been changed is stored, the “furniture store” button isclicked. When the “end” button is clicked, the completed furnituredisplay window W31 disappears from the display screen.

5 Processing Drawing Production Processing

As described in the foregoing, the front view, the side view, the rearview, etc. of the completed furniture, together with the size thereof,can be displayed on the display screen or printed out on the basis ofthe furniture design data (data stored in various kinds of tables) 25produced using the furniture design support system. Each of the unitsand the parts which constitute the completed furniture is caused to havemore detailed data as the furniture design data 25, thereby making itpossible to display a drawing for processing the units and the partswhich constitute the completed furniture (a processing drawing) or printout the drawing. FIGS. 83 to 91 illustrate examples of processingdrawings used for manufacturing furniture. FIGS. 83 to 91 illustrateexamples of processing drawings used for manufacturing furniture. FIGS.83 to 91 illustrate processing drawings for the furniture (completedfurniture) shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 83A, 83B, and 83C respectively illustrate a plan view of thecompleted furniture, a front view of the completed furniture, and aright side view of the completed furniture, together with the size(numbers representing the size are omitted. The same is true for theother drawings).

FIG. 84 illustrates a unit and a parting board (a shelf board) of thecompleted furniture, together with the sizes thereof. FIGS. 84A, 84B,and 84C are respectively a plan view, a front view, and a right sideview.

FIG. 85 illustrates a processing drawing of a top board. FIG. 85A is aplan view of the top board (a view showing the top board as viewed fromthe top), FIG. 85B is a front view of the top board, FIG. 85C is abottom view of the top board (a reverse surface; a view showing the topboard as viewed from the cell (the inside of the unit)), and FIG. 85D isa diagram showing a joint portion between the top board and a side boardin enlarged fashion. A slit (a black circle) used for joining the sideboard and a back board is shown on a bottom surface (reverse surface) ofthe top board. The joint portion between the top board and the sideboard is illustrated in enlarged fashion in FIG. 85D with respect to aportion indicated by an arrow in FIG. 85C. In FIG. 85D, a portionindicated by a broken line represents a dowel to be inserted into theslit.

FIG. 86 illustrates a processing drawing of a baseplate. FIG. 86A is aplan view of the baseplate (a view showing the baseplate as viewed fromthe cell (the inside of the unit)), FIG. 86B is a front view of thebaseplate, FIG. 86C is a bottom view of the baseplate (a view showingthe baseplate as viewed from the bottom), and FIG. 86D is an enlargedview of a joint portion between the baseplate and a side board.

FIG. 87 illustrates a processing drawing of a back board. FIG. 87A is aplan view of the back board, FIG. 87B is a front view of the back board,87C is a bottom view of the back board, and FIG. 87D is a right sideview of the back board. FIG. 87E and FIG. 87F respectively illustrate aslit formed in the back board as viewed from the front and the side.

FIG. 88 illustrates a processing drawing of side boards. FIGS. 88A to88E and FIG. 88F to 88J respectively illustrate a processing drawing ofthe left side board and a processing drawing of the right side board.FIG. 88A(88I) is a front view of the side board, FIG. 88B(88G) is aright side view of the side board, FIG. 88C(88H) is a plan view of theside board, FIG. 88D(88F) is a rear view of the side board, and FIG.88E(88J) is a bottom view of the side board. FIG. 88B(88G) and FIG.88D(88F) illustrate a hinge to be attached to the side board (and a slitfor attaching the hinge).

FIG. 89 illustrates a processing drawing of parting boards arrangedbetween a door leaf and a drawer and accommodated inside the unit(cell). FIGS. 89A to 89E and FIGS. 89F to 89J respectively illustrate aprocessing drawing of the left parting board and a processing drawing ofthe right parting board. FIG. 89A(89I) is a front view of the partingboard, FIG. 89B(89G) is a right side view of the drawer, FIG. 89C(89H)is a plan view of the drawer, FIG. 89D(89F) is a rear view of thedrawer, and FIG. 89E(89J) is a bottom view of the drawer. FIG. 89D(89F)illustrates a rail used when the drawer is accommodated inside the unit.

FIG. 90 illustrates a processing drawing of door leaves. FIGS. 90A to90D and FIG. 90E to 90H respectively illustrate a processing drawing ofthe left door leaf and a processing drawing of the right door leaf. FIG.90A(90G) is a plan view of the door leaf, FIG. 90B(90H) is a front viewof the door leaf, FIG. 90C is a right side view of the door leaf, FIG.90F is a left side view of the door leaf, and FIG. 90D(90E) is a rearview of the door leaf. FIG. 90D(90E) and FIG. 90B(90H) illustrate ahinge for attaching the door leaf to the unit. A handle attached to thedoor leaf is illustrated in FIGS. 90A(90G), 90B(90H), and 90C(90F).

FIG. 91 illustrates a processing drawing of a drawer. FIG. 91A is a planview of the assembled drawer. FIG. 91B is a front view of a front panelto be attached to a front surface of the drawer. FIG. 91F is a rightside view of the drawer. FIG. 91G is a cross-sectional view showing thedrawer in a portion excluding the front panel as viewed from the rightside.

FIGS. 91C to 91E and FIGS. 91H to 91L are respectively processingdrawings showing members (elements) constituting the drawer. FIG. 91C isa front view of the front panel, FIG. 91D is a plan view of the frontpanel, and FIG. 91E is a rear view of the front panel. FIG. 91C and FIG.91E illustrate a slit for a handle to be attached to the front panel ofthe drawer. FIG. 91H, FIG. 91I, FIG. 91J, FIG. 91K, and FIG. 91Lrespectively illustrate a left side board which is an elementconstituting a box portion of the drawer, a right side board of the boxportion of the drawer, a back board of the box portion of the drawer, afront panel of the box portion of the drawer, and a baseplate of the boxportion of the drawer.

In the processing drawing production processing, data for each of themembers (elements) constituting each of the units and the parts whichconstitute the completed furniture (data representing a size, a punchingposition, a hinge attachment position, etc.). A table storing data forproducing a processing drawing may be newly provided in the HD, topreviously store in the basic information table (FIG. 10) data whichshould be stored in the data table for producing the processing drawing,if required.

A program for the processing drawing production processing may bepositioned as a part of the function of the above-mentioned furnituredesign support program, or may be a program different (separate) fromthe furniture design support program. When the program for theprocessing drawing production processing is a program different(separate) from the furniture design support program, the program forthe processing drawing production processing is for performingprocessing for producing the processing drawing in accordance withfurniture design data produced using the furniture design supportprogram and data in the table storing the data for producing theprocessing drawing. The produced processing drawing is displayed on thedisplay screen, or is printed out.

The processing drawing produced by the processing drawing productionprocessing is mainly utilized, when completed furniture designed usingthe furniture design support system is actually produced in a furnituremanufacturing workshop (a furniture manufacturing factory) or the like,by a manufacturing person (a processing person) of the furniture.

Data used for producing the processing drawing (data representing thesize of a unit, the sizes of members (elements; a top board, abaseplate, a side board, a back board, etc.) constituting the unit, theposition where a slit for each of the elements is formed, the positionwhere a hinge is attached, the size of a part (a drawer), the sizes ofelements (a front panel attached to a front surface of a box portion,and a front panel, side boards, a baseplate, and a back board of the boxportion) constituting the drawer, the position of a slit for the drawer,the position of a slit for a door leaf, etc.) are coded data. Therefore,the elements constituting the unit and the elements constituting thepart can be also produced under the control of a computer by causing aCAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) device (a numeric value controlmachine tool) for processing completed furniture (or the units and theparts constituting the completed furniture) to read the data forproducing the processing drawing.

Since the furniture is constituted by units and parts, and each of theunits and the parts is constituted by elements, the sizes of the units,the parts, and the elements are determined depending on the size of thefurniture. The number of joint members used for assembling the elementsand the joint positions (e.g., the number of slits and the positionsthereof, and the position where a hinge is attached) may be changeddepending on the sizes of the units, the parts, and the elements. Forexample, the relationship between the size of the standard element andthe number of joint members and the position where each of the jointmembers is arranged is previously determined in the data table. Thefurniture design support program (or the program for the processingdrawing production processing) may be caused to make such judgment thatthe number of slits is increased if the size of the element exceeds athreshold value (a set value), while being reduced if it is smaller thanthe threshold value.

6 Manufacturing Process Drawing Production Processing

As described in the foregoing, the furniture design data provided by thefurniture design support system include data required to display on thedisplay screen an image representing the appearance (a renderingdrawing) of the completed furniture, for example, the respectivestructures (types) of the units and the parts which are included in thecompleted furniture, the respective sizes of the units and the parts,and the positional relationship among the units and the parts and printthe design drawing. That is, the furniture design data previously showshow the units and the parts are combined to constitute the furniture. Amanufacturing process drawing of the completed furniture can beproduced, as follows, by preparing still another data (data table).

FIG. 92 illustrates the electrical configuration of a furniture designsupport system (a computer system) comprising manufacturing process dataused for producing a manufacturing process drawing. The furniture designsupport system differs from the furniture design support system shown inFIG. 9 in that manufacturing process data is stored in the HD unit 16(HD) (indicated by reference character 25A). The other hardwareconfiguration and programs and data which are stored in the HD are thesame as those shown in FIG. 9 and hence, the overlapped description isavoided.

FIG. 93 is a perspective view showing an example of completed furniture(a cabinet with drawers). FIG. 94 illustrates an example of amanufacturing process drawing of the completed furniture (the cabinetwith drawers) shown in FIG. 93.

The manufacturing process drawing shown in FIG. 94 is used formanufacturing work of furniture in a furniture manufacturing workshop, afurniture manufacturing factory, or the like. Units and parts areprocessed in the furniture manufacturing workshop or the like inaccordance with the flow of manufacturing processes shown in themanufacturing process drawing, to manufacture the furniture.

In the manufacturing process drawing, a processing line is shown foreach of the parts and the units which must be processed. The parts andthe units which are included in the furniture are respectively processedfor the processing lines. Finally, the parts and the units which havebeen respectively processed in the processing lines are combined(assembled or attached), to complete the furniture. The furniture (thecabinet with drawers) shown in FIG. 93 comprises a door leaf, drawers, aunit (of a top board and base board covering type), parting boards(shelf boards), and a plinth. They are a unit and parts which must beprocessed in the cabinet with drawers. With respect to the drawer, theprocessing line is divided into those for a front panel and a box.

Work processes previously determined for each of the units and the partsare arranged in the processing line. In the manufacturing processdrawing of FIG. 94, “door leaf (solid board)” is paid attention to.There are five work processes, i.e., cutting, butt end affixation, hingepunching, door pull punching, and hinge and door pull attachment. Withrespect to each of the units and the parts which constitute thefurniture (completed furniture), such work processes are previouslydetermined.

Furthermore, the work processes previously determined with respect toeach of the units and the parts have data respectively related to therespective dates and the order or processes. When “door leaf (solidboard)” constituting the cabinet with drawers is paid attention to, thefirst work process for processing on the second day is determined as“cutting”.

FIG. 95 illustrates an example of a manufacturing process informationtable storing data related to the work processes for each of the unitsand the parts which constitute the furniture and the respective datesand the order of processes, for example, which are determined. For themanufacturing process data, the data stored in the manufacturing processinformation table are used.

The manufacturing process information table stores data respectivelyrelated to process division, units/parts, a line number, the order ofprocesses, the contents of work, a coupling line, and the contents ofwork at a destination of coupling, as shown in FIG. 95.

“Process division” stores a division determined depending on thecomplexity of the completed furniture and the type of the unit includedin the completed furniture, for example. “Process division” is indicatedby a time period required from the time when the manufacture is starteduntil a product is finally delivered, for example, “seven days” or“thirty days”. For example, “process division” is previously set foreach of the units or the parts which are used for the furniture.

The names of the units or the parts, which must be processed, out of theunits or the parts which are included in the furniture are stored in thecolumn “unit/part”. A processing line (“line number”) is allocated toeach of the units or the parts (or may be previously allocated). Forexample, a processing line having a line number 1 is allocated to “doorleaf (solid board)” in a case where “process division” is “seven days”.

“Order of processes” represents the dates for the work processes(contents of work) of the unit or the part which are defined in thesubsequent item “work contents” and the order or processes on the date.For example, “cutting” and “butt end affixation” respectively representthe first process on the second day and the second process on the secondday.

When the completed furniture is finally assembled, or the front paneland the box portion of the drawer are assembled if the part is thedrawer, the unit or the part (a portion thereof) must be moved into theother processing line. “Coupling line” stores the line number of theprocessing line at a designation of movement in such a case. “Couplingdestination work contents” represents the contents of work in the lineat a destination of movement. It is data also called timing of linecoupling.

FIG. 96 is a flow chart showing the flow of manufacturing processdrawing production processing. FIG. 97 illustrates the contents of atemporary file produced in the manufacturing process drawing productionprocessing shown in FIG. 96.

The manufacturing process drawing production processing can be alsopositioned as a part of the function of the above-mentioned furnituredesign support program, or can be also positioned as the function of aseparate program which operates utilizing furniture design data producedby the furniture design support system. In this case, a program for themanufacturing process drawing production processing is previously stored(installed) in the HD in the HD unit 16.

First, start processing (e.g., execution of the manufacturing processdrawing production output processing program) and selection of thefurniture (completed furniture) whose manufacturing process drawingshould be produced are performed (step 161).

In the manufacturing process information table and the furniture designdata, data related to the selected completed furniture is accessed.

The manufacturing process information table (FIG. 95) previously stores,with respect to each of the parts and the units, which must beprocessed, included in the completed furniture designed using thefurniture design support system, data respectively representing workprocesses (including the order (the date and the order of processes)), aprocessing line, a coupling line, the contents of coupling work, etc.Data for specifying the work processes related to each of the parts andthe units which are included in the selected furniture are successivelyread out of the manufacturing process information table, to produce atemporary file as shown in FIG. 97 (step 162).

In the temporary file, the name of furniture, parts (units), a linenumber, work processes (including termination of work and a destinationof coupling), and the order of processes are indicated by codes. Datastored in the temporary file are manufacturing process data related tothe selected furniture. The manufacturing process drawing as shown inFIG. 85 is produced on the basis of the temporary file (step 163). Theproduced manufacturing process drawing is displayed on the displayscreen, or is printed out.

As for the manufacturing process drawing shown in FIG. 94, themanufacturing process drawing can be used as a schedule in a case wherea cabinet with drawers (including a door leaf (solid board), a door pull(front panel), a drawer (box), a unit, a parting board/shelf board, anda plinth) has been manufactured and even delivered in seven days (thefirst day is used for confirming the progress of work).

In a manufacturing process drawing to be produced, work processes(contents of work) are arranged such that the same work processesincluded in work processing of different units and parts (e.g.,“cutting”) are carried out on the same date (e.g., on the second day).The furniture is manufactured (the units and the parts are processed) onthe basis of such a manufacturing process drawing, thereby making itpossible to efficiently manufacture the completed furniture in afurniture manufacturing factory or the like.

7 Instruction Manual Production Processing

FIG. 98 illustrates the electrical configuration of a furniture designsupport system (a computer system) comprising instruction manual dataused for producing an instruction manual. The furniture design supportsystem differs from the furniture design support system shown in FIG. 9in that instruction manual data is added to the HD unit 16 (HD)(indicated by reference character 25B). The other hardware configurationand programs and data which are stored in the HD are the same as thoseshown in FIG. 9. It goes without saying that the above-mentionedmanufacturing process data can be further stored in the HD. In thiscase, the computer system can perform both the above-mentionedmanufacturing process drawing production processing and instructionmanual production processing, next described.

The furniture design data provided by the furniture design supportsystem includes data representing the structure (kind), the position(arrangement), the size, and the material of each of units and partsincluded in furniture (completed furniture), the name of the furniture,etc., as described above. In the instruction manual productionprocessing, data stored in an instruction manual table, a text datatable, and an image data table, described below, and the above-mentionedfurniture design data are used, to produce an instruction manual for thefurniture. The instruction manual production processing is basicallyprocessing for inserting (incorporating), on the basis of datarepresenting the basic structure (model) of the instruction manualstored in the instruction manual table, text data stored in the textdata table, furniture design data, and image data stored in the imagedata table into the position of a predetermined blank field of themodel, to produce the instruction manual. FIGS. 99 to 104 illustrateexamples of the instruction manual produced by the furniture designsupport system. FIG. 99 (the cover of the instruction manual) shows howthe text data stored in the test data table, the furniture design data,and the image data stored in the image data table are inserted(incorporated) into the position of the blank field in the basicstructure of the instruction manual. A portion denoted by each ofreference characters 170 a to 170 m (a portion enclosed by a one-dot anddash line) is a portion represented by the inserted data (the insertedportion (the one-dot and dash line) is omitted in FIGS. 100 to 104).

FIG. 105, FIG. 106, and FIG. 107 respectively illustrate an example ofthe instruction manual table, an example of the text data table, and anexample of the image data table. Data respectively stored in the tablesare used, to produce instruction manual data representing an instructionmanual.

The instruction manual table (FIG. 105) stores data respectively relatedto an output item, output conditions, parts, a format 1, a format 2, thetype of output data, and the contents of explanation.

“Output item” stores any of items in the instruction manual (display,cautions, before-use cautions, and a using method). “Output” is hereinused in the sense that the furniture design data or the data stored inthe text data table or the image data table is used (inserted orincorporated) for the instruction manual (for the instruction manualdata) to be produced.

“Output conditions” stores the presence or absence of conditions (noconditions or conditions) for judging whether or not the text (textdata) stored in the text data table, described later, is unconditionallyoutputted (included in the instruction manual) or is outputted dependingon the furniture or the unit.

“Part” stores the name of a part whose instruction manual is required.“Furniture name” stores the name of completed furniture whoseinstruction manual is to be produced.

“Format 1” and “format 2” respectively store data for defining pageeject, the number of lines, etc., and data for defining a font, a fontsize, a display scale, etc.

“Output data type” indicates which of text data, image data, and outputdata (rendering data) related to an application program (anothersoftware, for example, CAD software) is to be outputted (included in theinstruction manual).

“Explanation content code” stores a code representing the contents ofexplanation. By “explanation content code”, the text data table (FIG.106) and the image data table (FIG. 107), described later, are linked tothe instruction manual table (FIG. 105).

The text data table (FIG. 106) stores a code and instruction manual textdata corresponding to the code. The image data table (FIG. 107) stores acode and instruction manual image data corresponding to the code.

FIG. 108 is a flow chart showing the flow of instruction manualproduction processing. The instruction manual production processing canbe positioned as a part of the function of the above-mentioned furnituredesign support program, or can be also positioned as a separate programwhich is operated utilizing the furniture design data produced by thefurniture design support system. In this case, a program for theinstruction manual production processing is previously stored(installed) in the HD unit 16 (HD).

First, start processing of the instruction manual production processing(e.g., execution of the program for instruction manual productionprocessing) and selection of furniture whose instruction manual is to beproduced are performed (step 171).

In the instruction manual production processing, an instruction manualto be produced, starting at the first page (cover). First, the cover(the first page) is produced.

Referring to FIG. 99, the name of furniture is outputted (inserted orincorporated) (step 172). The name of the furniture is inserted into aportion indicated by reference character 170 a. The font, the font size,etc. of characters to be used conform to the data stored in theinstruction manual table (FIG. 105).

A rendering drawing of completed furniture is then outputted (step 173).The furniture design data is used to display the rendering drawing inportions denoted by reference character 170 b and reference character170 c.

A cover model sentence is outputted (step 174). Text data representingthe cover model sentence is read out and is outputted in accordance withthe column “explanation content code” of the instruction manual table(FIG. 105) from the text data table (FIG. 106) to a potion denoted byreference character 170 d.

A spec table is outputted (step 175). The furniture design data is usedto respectively display the name of a product (the name of furniture), acountry of production, a size, etc. in portions denoted by referencecharacters 170 e to 1701 (it goes without saying that all data forproducing the spec table are previously stored in the furniture designdata).

A serial number is adopted and is outputted to a portion denoted byreference character 170 m (step 176). The serial number is a serialnumber assigned for each furniture.

By the foregoing processing, data representing the cover (the firstpage) of the instruction manual for a space-saving closet is completed.

In the same manner, data respectively representing a caution page (FIGS.100 and 101), a before-use caution page (FIG. 102), and a using methodexplanation page (FIGS. 103 and 104) are produced.

As for the caution page, a model sentence is outputted (step 177), andcautions concerning parts included in the furniture whose instructionmanual is to be produced are outputted (step 178). The program forinstruction manual production processing is for performing retrieval onthe basis of the furniture design data as to whether or not the partwhose cautions should be outputted is included in the furniture whoseinstruction manual is to be produced, to read out and output cautionsconcerning the part from the text data table (FIG. 106) when the part isincluded in the furniture. When the furniture includes two or moreidentical parts whose cautions should be outputted, the cautionsconcerning only one of the parts are outputted (the identical cautionsare not outputted).

As for the before-use caution page (FIG. 102), a model sentence isoutputted (step 179), and a rendering drawing is outputted (step 180).In the outputted rendering drawing, the name of a main part, togetherwith a leader line, is displayed (data related to the name of the partdisplayed in the rendering drawing is also previously included in thefurniture design data or the instruction manual data).

A program for the instruction manual production processing is forperforming retrieval as to whether or not the part whose before-usecautions should be outputted is included in the furniture whoseinstruction manual is to be produced, to read out and output thebefore-use cautions concerning the part from the text data table (FIG.106) and to read out and output the image data from the image data table(FIG. 107) when the part is included in the furniture (step 181).

As for the using method explanation page (FIGS. 103 and 104), retrievalis performed as to whether or not the part whose descriptive text ordescriptive image should be outputted is included in the furniture, toread out and output data representing the descriptive text for a usingmethod concerning the part from the text data table (FIG. 106) and toread out and output the image data from the image data table (FIG. 107)when the part is included in the furniture (step 182). When thefurniture includes two or more identical parts whose descriptive text ordescriptive image should be outputted, the descriptive text ordescriptive image concerning one of the parts is outputted.

An instruction manual for furniture (completed furniture) is thusproduced in accordance with instruction manual data. In accordance withthe type of part included in the furniture, for example, text data andimage data which are adapted to the type of the part are read out(outputted). Accordingly, as for each type of furniture, an instructionmanual for the furniture can be produced. The produced instructionmanual is displayed on the display screen or is printed out.

8 Furniture Design Support System Utilizing Network

In the above-mentioned furniture design support system, a furnituredesign support program installed in the computer system and varioustypes of tables are used, for an operator or a customer to select unitsand parts and enter the sizes, for example, to assemble completedfurniture (to produce data representing the completed furniture). Datarespectively related to a plurality of kinds (types) of completedfurniture of a basic type may be prepared, for the customer to changedata related to the completed furniture of a basic type. Anothercomputer connected through a network can be caused to produce arendering drawing of the completed furniture.

FIG. 108 illustrates the overall configuration of a furniture designsupport system utilizing a network.

The furniture design support system comprises a server computer 302 anda plurality of client computers 303 which are connected to one anotherthrough a network 301. In the present embodiment, the server computer302 shall be under the management of a provider of the furniture designsupport system. The client computer 303 shall be under the management ofa user utilizing programs and data which are provided by the provider ofthe furniture design support system.

The server computer 302 and the client computer 303 are respectivelycomputer systems (personal computers, work stations, etc.) eachincluding a storage device storing programs, data, etc. and atransmitter-receiver for transmitting and receiving the programs, thedata, etc. through the network 301, an input device for inputting thedata or the like, and a display device for displaying the data, etc. Thenetwork 301 includes both a public line (the Internet, etc.) and aleased line which are provided between the computer systems. Facilitiesand devices (a CATV facility, a broadcasting satellite, a communicationsatellite, etc.) used in the lines are also included in the network 301.The storage device in each of the server computer 302 and the clientcomputer 303 stores a communication program used for transmitting andreceiving data or the like. When the network 301 is the Internet, abrowser can be used as the communication program provided in the clientcomputer 303.

The client computer 303 comprises a CD-ROM 304 previously distributedfrom the provider of the furniture design support system. The contentsof the programs and the data which are recorded on the CD-ROM 304 areshown in FIG. 110.

The programs and the data which are recorded on the CD-ROM 304 arebasically executed in cooperation with the browser previously preparedin the client computer 303. On the CD-ROM 304, a start window (HTMLdata; HyperText Markup Language), sample image data (jpg data, etc.)related to furniture and parts, an auto demonstration program, link data(URL; Uniform Resource Locator), a new user registration/authenticationwindow (HTML data), and a furniture design support system introductionwindow (HTML data) are recorded.

A part or the whole of the above-mentioned furniture design supportprogram may be recoded on the CD-ROM 304. In this case, the furnituredesign support program recorded on the CD-ROM 304 is installed in theclient computer 303, so that the client computer 303 operates as thefurniture design support system (FIGS. 8, 92, and 98) in a stand-alonemanner. When a part of the furniture design support program is recorded,the client computer 303 executes only a part of the function of theabove-mentioned furniture design support system (restriction of thefunction).

An example of a window (a start window) displayed on the display screenwhen the start window data (HTML data) recorded on the CD-ROM 304 isread in the client computer 303 in which the browser is started isillustrated in FIG. 111.

The start window W41 includes an image display area. An area 41 a inwhich sample images respectively related to a plurality of pieces ofcompleted furniture are displayed is included on the left side of theimage display area. An area W41 b in which the sample image related tothe completed furniture selected in the left area W41 a is displayed inenlarged fashion is included on the right side of the image displayarea. The sample image related to the completed furniture displayed inthe area W41 a and the area 41 b is based on the image data recorded onthe CD-ROM 304. Further, the following buttons are included on the leftside of the start window W41.

“Home” button: clicked when a page in which information related to theprovider of the furniture design support system is registered isdisplayed on the display screen. The URL is described therein.

“Demonstrate” button: clicked when it is demonstrated how the completedfurniture represented by the sample image is subjected to size change,color change, or the like. When the “demonstrate” button is clicked, theauto demonstration program recorded on the CD-ROM 304 is executed.

“Register” button: clicked when user registration/authentication isperformed. FIG. 112 illustrates an example of a userregistration/authentication window W42. When the “register” button isclicked, the user registration/authentication window W42 appears on thedisplay screen.

The user registration/authentication window W42 includes an area W42 ain which a user ID and a password are entered, and an area W42 b inwhich selection of a service, a company/division, a name, an address, atelephone number, a facsimile number, and an e-mail address are entered.A person who performs user registration (new registration) enters datainto the area 42 b. The entered data are transmitted to the servercomputer 302 through the network 301. The server computer 302 issues(produces) a user ID and a password for specifying a user who hastransmitted the data, and notifies the user of the user ID and thepassword. Thereafter, the user enters the user ID and the password ofwhich the user is notified into the area W42 a when the client computer303 is connected to the server computer 302.

“About” button: clicked when the introduction of the function of thefurniture design support system is displayed on the display screen. Theintroduction of the function of the furniture design support system isdisplayed on the display screen by characters (a sentence) and an imageon the basis of instruction data recorded on the CD-ROM 304.

“End” button: clicked when the start window is erased from the displayscreen.

The user of the client computer 303 can change the size and the color,for example, of the completed furniture represented by the sample imageby utilizing the server computer 302. FIG. 113 is a flow chart showingan example of the flow of processing of the server computer 302 andprocessing of the client computer 303 in the furniture design supportsystem utilizing the network 301.

The user of the client computer 303 starts the CD-ROM 304, to displaythe user registration/authentication window W42 on the display screenand enter the user ID and the password (step 311). The user ID and thepassword are transmitted to the server computer 302 from the clientcomputer 303.

The server computer 302 authenticates the user on the basis of the userID and the password which have been received. When the authenticationhas succeeded, data representing a main page is transmitted to theclient computer 303 (step 312). A main page W43 is displayed on thedisplay screen of the client computer 303 (step 313, FIG. 114).

The main page W43 is basically the same as the above-mentioned startwindow W41 (FIG. 111). The number of sample images displayed in the areaW43 a may be larger than the number of sample images displayed on thebasis of the CD-ROM 304.

The main page W41 displayed on the client computer 303 may be producedin the server computer 302 on the basis of a transmission request (entryof the user ID and the password) from the client computer 303, or may bepreviously produced and held in the server computer 302. The main pageW41 can be represented by HTML data (an HTML file) (displayed on thedisplay screen of the client computer 303). In any case, the servercomputer 302 temporarily stores, when it is accessed from the clientcomputer 303, the HTML data for displaying the main page W41 in atransmission buffer in a memory. The HTML data stored in thetransmission buffer is downloaded by the client computer 303. In theclient computer 303, the window (the main page W41) based on thedownloaded HTML data is displayed. The same is true for the other page,described later.

A “home” button, a “step 2” button, a “step 3” button, a “register”button, and an “about” button are included on the left side of the mainpage W43. The “home” button, the “register” button, and the “about”button are the same as those in the start window W41.

The “step 2” button is clicked when the sample image (completedfurniture) is subjected to size change, part change, or color change.The “step 3” button is clicked when a rendering drawing is to bedisplayed.

When any one of the sample images (images representing completedfurniture) is selected in the main page W43, an image representing theselected completed furniture is displayed in enlarged fashion in an areaW43 b. When the “step 2” button is clicked herein, a custom pageconcerning the selected completed furniture is transmitted to the clientcomputer 303 from the server computer 302 (steps 315 and 316, FIG. 115).

A custom page W44 (FIG. 115) includes an area W44 a for displaying adrawing representing the structure and the size of selected completedfurniture and an area W44 b for inputting the size, parts, the color ofselected furniture, and inputting the name of the furniture.

The user can change the size, the parts, and the color of the selectedcompleted furniture using the custom page W44 (step 317).

When the “step 3” button is clicked (step 318), data representing thechanged values (the size, the parts, and the color) (hereinafterreferred to as change data) are transmitted to the server computer 302from the client computer 303. In the server computer 302 which hasreceived the change data, processing for producing a rendering page tobe transmitted to the client computer 303 is performed (step 319).

FIG. 117 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing for producingthe rendering page in the server computer 302.

The server computer 302 comprises furniture design data related to asample image (the same data as the above-mentioned furniture design data25), and further comprises a rendering engine (a program), an assemblingengine (a program), and an estimation engine (a program). The assemblingengine is used on the basis of the change data, so that the furniture(furniture design data) is changed (step 331).

Rendering processing is subsequently performed by the rendering engineon the basis of the furniture design data which has been changed (step333). Data representing a rendering drawing is produced.

Furthermore, the cost of the furniture (completed furniture) iscalculated from parts included in the furniture and the sizes of theparts by the estimation engine on the basis of the furniture design datawhich has been changed (step 334).

The server computer 302 produces data representing a rendering pageincluding the furniture design data obtained by the assembling engine,the data representing the rendering drawing obtained by the renderingengine, and data representing the cost of the furniture obtained by theestimation engine, and transmits the data to the client computer 303(step 320).

A rendering page W45 (FIG. 116) includes an area W45 a where a renderingdrawing of the furniture on which the size, the parts, and the colorwhich have been changed using the above-mentioned custom page W42 arereflected is displayed. A drawing (a design drawing) representing thechanged size and structure of the furniture and a spec table (a date, asize, a material, a color, painting, equipment, cost) are respectivelydisplayed at the upper right of the area W45 a and the lower right ofthe area W45 a.

The rendering page W45 includes a “determine” button. When the“determine” button is clicked, the change data (the furniture designdata after the change) is stored in a database in the server computer302 (steps 321 and 322). Furniture design data related to furniturehaving the changed size, parts, and color is transmitted toward afurniture manufacturing workshop or the like from the server computer302 (may be delivered by a drawing or the like). The furniture havingthe changed size, parts, and color is manufactured in the furnituremanufacturing workshop.

The furniture design data related to the completed furniture having abasic structure (and an image representing the completed furniture) arethus previously prepared, thereby making it possible to relativelyeasily design furniture having a liked structure, color, etc. only bychanging a portion thereof. Liked furniture can be designed and orderedwith ease. Further, the production of an image and a drawingrepresenting the furniture, including the rendering processing, isperformed on the side of the server computer 302. Accordingly, theprocessing load on the client computer 303 is light.

In the furniture design support system utilizing the above-mentionednetwork, the furniture design data related to the completed furniture ispreviously prepared, and the size data or the like in the furnituredesign data is changed, thereby producing the furniture design datarelated to the furniture of a size, etc. liked by the user. Of course, asystem so adapted that the furniture design data related to thecompleted furniture previously prepared can be changed may be realizedas a stand-alone computer system. Conversely, the above-mentionedstand-alone furniture design support system (a system for producingfurniture design data according to the selection of units) may be alsoestablished utilizing the network. Further, the user may be caused toproduce the furniture design data by previously preparing furnituredesign data in a state where units and basic parts are combined andfurther combining parts liked by the user with the furniture design data(or replacing the parts).

1-76. (canceled)
 77. An article manufacturing process drawing productionsystem comprising: a database storing data representing work processesrelated to each of constituent members, data representing the workprocesses related to said constituent member including data related tothe order of processes for each of contents of work included in the workprocesses; work process data extraction means for extracting, on thebasis of data related to a combination of one or a plurality of types ofconstituent members constituting a given article, the data representingthe work processes related to each of the constituent membersconstituting said article from said database; and article manufacturingprocess drawing production means for arranging the extracted datarepresenting the work processes related to the constituent member, toproduce and output a manufacturing process drawing of the articleconstructed by the combination of the one or plurality of types ofconstituent members. 78-80. (canceled)
 81. A medium having a programrecorded thereon for controlling a computer comprising a databasestoring data representing work processes related to each of constituentmembers, the data representing the work processes related to saidconstituent member including data related to the order of processes foreach of contents of work included in the work processes, the programcontrolling the computer so as to: extract, on the basis of data relatedto a combination of one or a plurality of types of constituent membersconstituting a given article, data representing the work processesrelated to the constituent members constituting said article from saiddatabase; and arrange the extracted data representing the work processesrelated to the constituent members, to produce and output amanufacturing process drawing of the article constructed by combiningthe one or plurality of types of constituent members.
 82. (canceled)